Health care
BY JAMIE MOORE
Central Texas expands mental health officers as calls rise
Mental Health and Incarceration in America 4.8 million adults in Texas have a mental health condition, according to the NAMI.
Cities across Central Texas, including San Marcos, Kyle, and Buda, are adapting to growing mental health needs by embedding mental health officers and crisis intervention teams within their police departments. In 2023, the San Marcos Police Department, or SMPD, responded to 2,290 calls involving mental health concerns, according to their website. The SMPD unit, originally started in 2008, currently includes a qualified mental health professional, two mental health officers, a corporal and a therapy K-9 officer. A homeless outreach team also assists when needed. According to Corporal Joseph Osborne, a mental health professional accompanies a mental health officer on crisis calls when there’s potential risk of danger. If someone meets emergency detention criteria—posing a danger to themselves or others—they are taken to a hospital or facility. If not, the team connects them to resources or hotlines and may follow up later. For calls without immediate danger, dispatch may route them directly to a crisis line instead of sending officers. Officers conduct home and follow-up visits with individuals experiencing ongoing crises, aiming to prevent emergencies and reduce repeat calls.
Kyle employs a similar co-response team, pairing a mobile crisis care coordinator with a mental health officer. Christine Dalton, one of Kyle’s coordinators, said mental health needs have grown alongside the city’s population. Buda also has a mental health officer embedded in its police department. All Texas peace officers complete de-escalation and crisis intervention training, while those assigned to mental health roles often receive additional certification through a 40-hour mental health officer course and department- specific field training. Crisis Intervention Teams and mental health units work to divert individuals in crisis from jail to appropriate care. While not a long-term solution, these teams remain essential tools for Texas communities grappling with gaps in mental health services, according to mental health leaders. “I think it’s important, whenever I’m speaking with anyone in the community, to reassure them that help is out there—and there are people who genuinely want to support them through whatever they’re dealing with,” said Corporal Joseph Osborne of the San Marcos Police Department.
adults experience a mental illness each year 1 in 5
of adults experience serious mental illness each year 5%
youth ages 12-17 have thoughts of suicide each year 1 in 9
of people with a serious mental illness do not receive treatment
while incarcerated 63%
incarcerated adults have a history of mental illness 2 in 5
of juveniles in the system have a mental health condition 70%
SOURCE: NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS/COMMUNITY IMPACT
The specifics
Also of note
Before you go
More than 13 million people in Texas live in a community without enough mental health pro- fessionals, according to a March 2025 fact sheet from the National Alliance on Mental Illness. While legislation has improved access, signif- icant barriers remain, including affordability, provider shortages, insurance issues, lack of nearby locations, and long waitlists, according to mental health advocates. “Texas consistently ranks near the bottom for mental health care access,” said Setareh Ghaz- navi, public relations and marketing communica- tions manager at NAMI Central Texas. “According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, 97% of Texas counties are designated mental health professional shortage areas—that’s 246 out of 254 counties.” Alison Boleware, director of policy for the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health, said rapid population growth in Texas has worsened these issues. Though state funding for mental health has increased, inflation and rising demand have limited its impact.
One in four people with a serious mental illness has been arrested, per NAMI. “In an ideal world, law enforcement officers would not be on the front lines of mental health crises,” said Greg Hansch, executive director of NAMI Texas. “But there are such gaps in the mental health system that it’s important law enforcement officers continue to be highly trained—and that there be spe- cialized officers who are singularly focused on responding to mental health crises.”
Local officials emphasized that although mental health resources can be hard to access, help is still available for residents in need. Texas State University students can access mental health services through the university’s Counseling Center, which offers crisis support, short-term therapy, and referrals. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, support is available 24/7 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 Hill Country MHDD Crisis Line: 1-877-466-0660 Integral Care Helpline (Travis County): 512-472-HELP Bluebonnet Trails Crisis Line (Williamson County): 1-800-841-1255
“When we’re responding to a scene, ultimately we want the best outcome for that individual...to advocate on their behalf and provide that education to whoever else is interacting with them.” CHRISTINE DALTON, KYLE MOBILE CRISIS CARE COORDINATOR
SOURCE: KYLE POLICE DEPARTMENT
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SAN MARCOS - BUDA - KYLE EDITION
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