Mental Health Resources

The City of Portland Police Department has several Mental Health Certified Officers to help those within Portland struggling with mental and emotional health receive the professional services they need and increase the individuals' safety and our community. These officer respond to calls involving someone in a mental or emotional episode or crisis. During the response, these officers will help determine what resources and services are available for the individual to utilize to help the individual out of the episode or crisis. Additionally, they will do wellness checks for those who feel their family member, friend, etc. are experiencing an episode or crisis. 

If you or someone you know is exhibiting signs of mental illness, it is important to access mental health services before the situation becomes a crisis. The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline can be reached 24/7 by text or calling 988.

Guide to Contacting the Portland Police Department's Mental Health Officers

If there is not an immediate threat of danger but you or someone else is acting out due to their mental or emotional state, call the Portland Police Department’s non-emergency number at 361-777-4444 and request a mental health officer be dispatched to the location of the person in need.

If there is an individual causing an immediate threat of danger to themselves or others due to their mental or emotional state, call 911. 
Please note: An immediate threat of danger can include threats to hurt themselves or other(s). 

What To Do When Calling 911

When you call 911, it is important to try to remain calm. You will need to provide important information in order for the emergency to be successfully resolved. Try to speak clearly and calmly; do not shout. Provide the following information to the 911 operator:

• Your name and address
• Location of the incident
• Name of the person in crisis
• Your relationship to the person in crisis
• A description of the person in crisis
• Information on the person’s mental illness
• The person’s diagnosis if known
• Medications the person takes
• If the person has stopped taking his/her medication
• Is the person violent
• Any history of violence
• If there are any weapons at the location (if so, attempt to remove them)
• What the person is doing, saying, experiencing

When Law Enforcement Arrives

• Turn on all lights in house if indoors so everyone can be clearly seen
• Do not have anything in your hands when you meet the officer(s)
• Walk, do not run up to the officers
• Calmly identify yourself
• Offer information you think might be helpful
• Be clear and concise