Officer Hernandez urged residents to seek help as the holidays approach, saying, "I'm here to remind our community that as holidays approach, they can bring not only celebration, but can also increase stress, anxiety, and emotional distress." The remarks opened a brief outreach from members of the Mission Police Department's mental health unit about how to access crisis support.

Officer Hernandez and Officer Milo identified themselves as members of the Mission Police Department's mental health unit. "This is Officer Milo, and we're part of the Mission Police Department's mental health unit," Milo said. They described the team's role in responding to people in crisis, including depression and anxiety, and in helping connect individuals to community resources.

Milo said patrol officers call the unit when they encounter someone in crisis so the specialized team can de-escalate and assess needs. The officers said the department sees a modest increase in crisis activity around the holidays, "We do see a little bit of an increase in the city," Milo said, citing more calls from schools and adults facing financial stress.

To request the unit, the officers asked community members to call the department's non-emergency line and ask for the mental health unit; a communications officer will then dispatch the team. The officers provided the non-emergency number, (956) 584-5000. They said the mental health unit includes Officer Hernandez, Officer Milo and two other mental health officers who respond together.

Officer Milo described his role as helping individuals relax so they can open up about their needs and be connected with services. "We'll then respond to them," he said, describing the unit's dispatch and response practice.

The outreach closed with a direct appeal to residents: "We are here to help. We are available, and we are here for you," Hernandez said, adding, "You're not alone." The department did not announce new funding, changes to protocol, or a separate hotline; callers should use the Mission Police Department non-emergency number and request the mental health unit.