Houston Police Department Mental Health Division

Introduction: What is the Houston Police Department Mental Health Division?
History: How did the mental health division of the Houston Police Department come into existence?
Services: What kind of mental health services does the division provide to the community?
Training: How do police officers receive training in mental health issues?
Partnerships: Who are the mental health organizations and agencies the division collaborates with?
Mental Health Calls: What happens when the police receive a call concerning someone with a mental health issue?
Crisis Intervention Team (CIT): What is CIT and how does it work with the mental health division?
Mental Health Unit: What is the role of the mental health unit within the division?
Success Stories: Can you share some examples of successful interventions by the mental health division?
Future Developments: What are the plans to further strengthen and improve the mental health division of the Houston Police Department?

Introduction:

The Houston Police Department Mental Health Division is a specialized unit of the Houston Police Department that focuses on providing mental health services to individuals in the community who are in crisis or have a mental illness. The division is made up of police officers and mental health professionals who work together to ensure that individuals with mental health issues receive the help they need.

History:

The mental health division of the Houston Police Department was established in 1999 in response to the growing number of calls the department was receiving that involved individuals with mental health issues. The division was created to provide a specialized response to these calls and to ensure that individuals with mental health issues received appropriate treatment and support.

Services:

The mental health division provides a range of services to the community, including crisis intervention, assessment and referral, and follow-up services. The division also works closely with mental health organizations and agencies to connect individuals with ongoing mental health care.

Crisis Intervention:

When the police receive a call concerning someone with a mental health issue, the mental health division is often called to respond. The division's crisis intervention team is trained to de-escalate situations and connect individuals with the appropriate mental health services.

Assessment and Referral:

The mental health division also provides assessment and referral services to individuals who may be experiencing a mental health crisis. The division's mental health professionals conduct assessments to determine the appropriate level of care and make referrals to mental health providers as needed.

Follow-up Services:

After an individual has been assessed and referred to mental health services, the mental health division provides follow-up services to ensure that the individual is receiving the care they need. The division's mental health professionals work with mental health providers to monitor the individual's progress and provide additional support as needed.

Training:

Police officers in the Houston Police Department receive specialized training in mental health issues. The department's mental health division provides ongoing training to officers on topics such as recognizing signs of mental illness, de-escalation techniques, and responding to mental health crises.

Partnerships:

The mental health division of the Houston Police Department works closely with mental health organizations and agencies to ensure that individuals with mental health issues receive the appropriate care and support. Some of the organizations the division collaborates with include the Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD and the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Crisis Intervention Team (CIT):

The Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) is a specialized unit within the mental health division that focuses on responding to mental health crisis situations. The CIT consists of police officers who have received specialized training in mental health issues, as well as mental health professionals who work together to provide crisis intervention and connect individuals with mental health services.

Mental Health Unit:

The mental health unit is a specialized unit within the mental health division that focuses on providing ongoing mental health support to individuals in the community. The unit consists of mental health professionals who work closely with mental health providers to ensure that individuals with mental health issues receive the appropriate care and support.

Success Stories:

The mental health division of the Houston Police Department has had many successful interventions over the years. One example is a case where a man with a history of mental illness was threatening to jump off a bridge. The mental health division's crisis intervention team responded and was able to de-escalate the situation and connect the man with mental health services.

Future Developments:

The mental health division of the Houston Police Department is committed to improving and strengthening its services. Plans for the future include expanding the crisis intervention team and increasing the number of mental health professionals within the division. The goal is to ensure that individuals with mental health issues receive the care and support they need to lead healthy and fulfilling lives.

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