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. You can access these services by calling the MHMRA Helpline at 713-970-7000. If there is NOT an immediate threat of danger, but someone is acting out due to their mental state, call the Houston Police Department non-emergency # 713-884-3131 and request that a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) officer be dispatched to the location of the incident. If someone due to their mental state is acting out and there is an immediate threat of danger to that person or someone else, call 911. An immediate threat of danger can include threats to hurt himself or to hurt someone else.
 

CALLING 911

In an emergency when you call 911, it is important that you remain calm. You will need to provide law enforcement with important information in order for the emergency to be successfully resolved. Try to speak calmly to the 911 operator and do not shout. Provide the following information to the 911 operator.

•  Your name and address/The location of the incident

• The name of the person in crisis/Your relationship to that person/provide a description of the person in crisis

• That the person has a mental illness/Known diagnosis if possible

• Any medications the person takes/has stopped taking medications

• Do you feel threatened/Any history of violence with the person in crisis

• If there are any weapons at the location/If so attempt to remove the before calling 911 if you can safely do so

• What the person in crisis is doing at the time, saying, hearing voices etc

• Request a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) trained officer if available

When Law Enforcement Arrives

• Have all lights turned on in the house if indoors so that everyone can be clearly seen by the arriving officers

• Have nothing in your hands if you come out to meet the officers

• Do not run up to the officers, they do not know who you are. Responding officers need to know who the person in crisis is and that, while you may be agitated, you are not a threat

• Calmly identify yourself and answer any questions the officers might have regarding the person in crisis

• Don't assume that the officers have received all of the information you gave to the 911 operator. Offer any information you think might be helpful, but do not ramble on

• Be clear and concise. Be aware that the officers will attempt to de-escalate the situation verbally and that this type of situation can take time. Be patient and do not interfere once the officers begin to speak to the person in crisis
  
  MHMRA Help Line 713-970-7000
  For additional information on mental illness or the Houston Police Department CIT Program log on to www.houstoncit.org