In Laredo, where the Rio Grande weaves its cultures and histories, the Border Region Behavioral Health Center stands as a ray of hope and healing. This vibrant institution is redefining mental health care one compassionate step at a time.
Laura Cortez is the Director of Special Programs and Projects at Border Region Behavioral Health Center. She stated, “The Border Region Behavioral Health Center, formerly known as Border Region MHMR or the Laredo State Center, is the local mental authority serving four counties (Webb, Zapata, Jim Hogg and Starr).
Our services help children, adolescents and adults. We impact individuals who have anxiety, intellectual and developmental disabilities. We are open Monday-Friday. However, if an individual is in a crisis situation, our services are available through our Crisis Hotline, 1-800-643-1102. Our crisis number 948 is also available where Crisis counselors are readily available to meet them where they are no matter what time of day it may be.”
On September the 13th, 2025, we are hosting a Suicide Prevention Walk and Health Fair in Laredo at our Center grounds, 1500 Pappas. This walk and health fair will provide our community in Laredo and surrounding areas an opportunity to learn more about the services we provide to our clients within our community. We will also have community partners that will showcase the services they provide if someone is in need of behavioral health services for children, children care at the early age of three through eighteen years. Our Crisis Stabilization Unit has twelve beds and sixteen beds at our Pappas location.
On September the 13th, 2025, we are hosting a Suicide Prevention Walk and Health Fair in Laredo at our Center grounds, 1500 Pappas. This walk and health fair will provide our community in Laredo and surrounding areas an opportunity to learn more about the services we provide to our clients within our community. We will also have community partners that will showcase the services they provide if someone is in need of behavioral health services for children, children care at the early age of three through eighteen years. Our Crisis Stabilization Unit has twelve beds and sixteen beds at our Pappas location.
We have MCOT and YCOT as well. Each of these names entitle individuals with suicidal ideations. MCOT stands for Mobile Crisis Outreach Team. It is designed to handle a person who is distressed and experiencing emotional challenges. MCOT provides counseling services to people at their homes, school or any other location. It provides a combination of services thatinclude emergency care, urgent care, follow up care and relapse prevention to child, youth and/or adult. YCOT is new at our Center. The YCOT (Youth Crisis Outreach Team) program is designed to meet the unique needs of youth and families with developmental appropriate interventions administered by qualified professionals. YCOT’s support youth experiencing a mental health crisis by deescalating the situation and remaining available with more to provide service to the youth’s family and caregivers for up to ninety days. Youth and their families often need additional support in order to reduce the need for emergency room visits or involving law enforcement. This program offers crisis stabilization in the least restrictive environment with intensive short-term follow up care and connection to community resources.
We also possess first episode psychosis program, serve our clients, an onsite pharmacy program for substance and tobacco use cessation and a program geared for veterans. Finally, our Center offers Mental Health First Aid (MHFA). This teaches you how to assist and support others who may be experiencing mental health or substance use challenges.”
As the sun sets over Laredo, the Border Region Behavioral Health Center remains a steadfast guardian of mental wellness, proving that healing knows no boundaries. With every life touched, the Center continues to build a healthier, stronger community — one compassionate embrace at a time. Their offices are located at 1500 Pappas in Laredo, Texas. Their phone number is 956-794-3430 and our Crisis Hotline is 956-794-2944.
On September the 13th, 2025, we are hosting a Suicide Prevention Walk and Health Fair in Laredo at our
On September the 13th, 2025, we are hosting a Suicide Prevention Walk and Health Fair in Laredo at our Center grounds, 1500 Pappas. This walk and health fair will provide our community in Laredo and surrounding areas an opportunity to learn more about the services we provide to our clients within our community. We will also have community partners that will showcase the services they provide if someone is in need of behavioral health services for children, children care at the early age of three through eighteen years. Our Crisis Stabilization Unit has twelve beds and sixteen beds at our Pappas location.
On September the 13th, 2025, we are hosting a Suicide Prevention Walk and Health Fair in Laredo at our Center grounds, 1500 Pappas. This walk and health fair will provide our community in Laredo and surrounding areas an opportunity to learn more about the services we provide to our clients within our community. We will also have community partners that will showcase the services they provide if someone is in need of behavioral health services for children, children care at the early age of three through eighteen years. Our Crisis Stabilization Unit has twelve beds and sixteen beds at our Pappas location.
We have MCOT and YCOT as well. Each of these names entitle individuals with suicidal ideations. MCOT stands for Mobile Crisis Outreach Team. It is designed to handle a person who is distressed and experiencing emotional challenges. MCOT provides counseling services to people at their homes, school or any other location. It provides a combination of services thatinclude emergency care, urgent care, follow up care and relapse prevention to child, youth and/or adult. YCOT is new at our Center. The YCOT (Youth Crisis Outreach Team) program is designed to meet the unique needs of youth and families with developmental appropriate interventions administered by qualified professionals. YCOT’s support youth experiencing a mental health crisis by deescalating the situation and remaining available with more to provide service to the youth’s family and caregivers for up to ninety days. Youth and their families often need additional support in order to reduce the need for emergency room visits or involving law enforcement. This program offers crisis stabilization in the least restrictive environment with intensive short-term follow up care and connection to community resources.
We also possess first episode psychosis program, serve our clients, an onsite pharmacy program for substance and tobacco use cessation and a program geared for veterans. Finally, our Center offers Mental Health First Aid (MHFA). This teaches you how to assist and support others who may be experiencing mental health or substance use challenges.”
As the sun sets over Laredo, the Border Region Behavioral Health Center remains a steadfast guardian of mental wellness, proving that healing knows no boundaries. With every life touched, the Center continues to build a healthier, stronger community — one compassionate embrace at a time. Their offices are located at 1500 Pappas in Laredo, Texas. Their phone number is 956-794-3430 and our Crisis Hotline is 956-794-2944.
Center grounds, 1500 Pappas. This walk and health fair will provide our community in Laredo and surrounding areas an opportunity to learn more about the services we provide to our clients within our community. We will also have community partners that will showcase the services they provide if someone is in need of behavioral health services for children, children care at the early age of three through eighteen years. Our Crisis Stabilization Unit has twelve beds and sixteen beds at our Pappas location.
On September the 13th, 2025, we are hosting a Suicide Prevention Walk and Health Fair in Laredo at our Center grounds, 1500 Pappas. This walk and health fair will provide our community in Laredo and surrounding areas an opportunity to learn more about the services we provide to our clients within our community. We will also have community partners that will showcase the services they provide if someone is in need of behavioral health services for children, children care at the early age of three through eighteen years. Our Crisis Stabilization Unit has twelve beds and sixteen beds at our Pappas location.
We have MCOT and YCOT as well. Each of these names entitle individuals with suicidal ideations. MCOT stands for Mobile Crisis Outreach Team. It is designed to handle a person who is distressed and experiencing emotional challenges. MCOT provides counseling services to people at their homes, school or any other location. It provides a combination of services thatinclude emergency care, urgent care, follow up care and relapse prevention to child, youth and/or adult. YCOT is new at our Center. The YCOT (Youth Crisis Outreach Team) program is designed to meet the unique needs of youth and families with developmental appropriate interventions administered by qualified professionals. YCOT’s support youth experiencing a mental health crisis by deescalating the situation and remaining available with more to provide service to the youth’s family and caregivers for up to ninety days. Youth and their families often need additional support in order to reduce the need for emergency room visits or involving law enforcement. This program offers crisis stabilization in the least restrictive environment with intensive short-term follow up care and connection to community resources.
We also possess first episode psychosis program, serve our clients, an onsite pharmacy program for substance and tobacco use cessation and a program geared for veterans. Finally, our Center offers Mental Health First Aid (MHFA). This teaches you how to assist and support others who may be experiencing mental health or substance use challenges.”
As the sun sets over Laredo, the Border Region Behavioral Health Center remains a steadfast guardian of mental wellness, proving that healing knows no boundaries. With every life touched, the Center continues to build a healthier, stronger community — one compassionate embrace at a time. Their offices are located at 1500 Pappas in Laredo, Texas. Their phone number is 956-794-3430 and our Crisis Hotline is 956-794-2944.
If you have an upcoming community event or information on a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization you would like to share, please email me at 956cuidandolonuestro@gmail.com
Carolyn M. Schmies
United Way of Laredo
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