Tulsa’s 911 center is adding a mental health component for the first time.

Counselors from the group COPES will be on hand to take over calls that come in from people who are having a mental health crisis.

COPES supervisor Leigha Wooley says that will get people the help they need and also free up dispatchers and police for more traditional police work.

“In the event that we know it’s just mental health, trying to get mental health professionals out there, so the officers can respond to crime and do what they need to do,” Wooley said.

For now, the COPES counselors will only be in the 911 center from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays.

But COPES does have its own hotline people can call at (918) 744-4800.

Cox Media Group