Our Sheriff’s Office family understands how crucial it is for everyone to care about their mental wellbeing and the mental wellbeing of others. Our mental health can influence how we think, feel, and act. We take great pride in actively addressing behavioral health issues in Harris County through meaningful partnerships, specialized training, and model programs. And we strive every day to serve residents with compassion while prioritizing our community’s safety.
In honor of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, we remember those we have lost and come together to raise awareness around a difficult topic. It’s a time to support those affected by suicide, share memories of loved ones, reduce the stigma through education, and encourage those in need to seek help and resources.
Get Support
We are here for those in need of behavioral health help. Having access to quick and helpful support is vital when someone is considering harming themselves.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 1-800-273-8255 or Chat Online
If someone you know is thinking about suicide, needs emotional support or resources, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides free, confidential, 24/7 care online or by phone.
The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD
If you live in Harris County, you can receive mental health services by calling The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD Helpline at 713-970-7000.
Co-Responder Program
We know just one conversation can change a life. In 2011, we joined the Houston Police Department’s Crisis Intervention Response Team (CIRT) program, a transformative collaboration among area law enforcement agencies and a leading mental health organization that serves the entire region.
Our nine Crisis Intervention Response Teams, which pair a crisis intervention trained deputy with a behavioral health clinician from The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD, respond to the most serious calls for service with a mental health component.
These teams also conduct follow-up investigations and respond to SWAT scenes as a resource. In August alone, there were more than 1,000 mental health-related calls for service.
Ride Along With Our Crisis Intervention Response Team
Meet Deputy Lerma, one of our first CIRT members, and his partner, Lauren, as they respond to calls for service across our county.
CIRT responds to a range of calls for service with a mental health component, including situations involving those experiencing suicidal thoughts,” said Sgt. Gomez, with our Behavioral Health Training Unit.
It’s a daily occurrence to respond to these calls. And it’s a team effort talking to people to have the best possible outcome.
Suicide in Our Community
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, suicide is the second leading cause of death among people 10–34 years old and the tenth leading cause of death overall in the U.S.
CIRT: A Year in Review
- 5,178 Calls for Service
- 1,443 Emergency Detentions
- 266 Jail Diversions
Our mental health and outreach programs enhance public safety, better triage calls, and reduce visits to hospital emergency rooms. Our work serves as a reminder of what we can accomplish together.
These proactive efforts around mental health go beyond any single program or training technique – they are a part of who we are and what we stand for as an agency. They are the byproduct of the countless relationships we’ve developed within our communities and our commitment to do all we can to better serve you.
Thanks for doing your part to raise awareness around mental health and suicide prevention. While there is no single cause for suicide, there are risk factors and warning signs we can learn. And we can stand together to build a world rooted in neighbors helping neighbors. It can save lives.