MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Coon Rapids Police Department Highlights Mental Health Crisis Resources and Expanded Community Support Programs During Mental Health Awareness Month

COON RAPIDS, MN (May 10, 2026) The Coon Rapids Police Department is using Mental Health Awareness Month to remind residents that crisis intervention services, embedded mental health support programs, and community stabilization resources remain available throughout Coon Rapids and Anoka County for individuals and families facing behavioral health emergencies.

In a public awareness message issued this month, the department encouraged residents experiencing emotional distress, suicidal thoughts, or other mental health crises to seek immediate assistance through county crisis services or the national 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

The announcement comes as local governments and public safety agencies across Minnesota continue expanding co-response and community-based mental health intervention programs aimed at reducing crisis escalation and improving access to behavioral health care.

Embedded Social Worker Program Expands in Coon Rapids

In recent years, the Coon Rapids Police Department has increasingly shifted toward a co-response public safety model that integrates licensed mental health professionals into police operations.

According to the city, the department currently employs two full-time embedded social workers, Lori Halbur and Jess Hoppe, who work directly alongside officers to respond to behavioral health-related calls, provide follow-up support, connect residents to treatment services, and assist individuals experiencing housing instability, substance use issues, or ongoing mental health concerns.

City officials stated that the department expanded the program in 2025 to include a mental health intern position to help address growing service demand and increase community outreach capacity.

The department also operates a public “Meet the Social Worker” initiative designed to provide residents with informal, non-emergency access to mental health support and resource navigation without requiring appointments or law enforcement involvement.

Under the program, residents can meet directly with embedded social workers at the Crooked Lake Library, located at 11440 Crooked Lake Boulevard NW, on the following monthly schedule:

• First Thursday of each month from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Third Tuesday of each month from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

During the summer months, June through August, the outreach sessions typically relocate to Fire Station 3 at 3150 111th Avenue NW.

City officials say the program is intended to reduce barriers to care, encourage early intervention, and connect residents with county and community support systems before situations escalate into emergencies.

Anoka County Mobile Crisis Services Operate 24 Hours Daily

For residents experiencing immediate mental health distress, Anoka County continues to operate a 24-hour Mobile Crisis Response system available to both adults and children.

County officials state that residents can contact the crisis line at 763-755-3801 at any time for emergency behavioral health assistance.

According to Anoka County and Canvas Health, crisis counselors provide immediate telephone support and can deploy mobile crisis teams directly to homes, schools, workplaces, or other community settings when in-person intervention is necessary.

The service is designed to address situations involving suicidal ideation, severe anxiety, panic attacks, hallucinations, depression, psychosis, emotional instability, or other urgent mental health concerns.

County officials emphasize that the mobile crisis system is intended to stabilize situations safely while reducing unnecessary emergency room visits or jail involvement whenever possible.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Remains Available Statewide

Residents throughout Minnesota can also contact the national 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 for free, confidential crisis support available 24 hours a day.

Minnesota’s 988 network routes many calls through local and regional crisis providers connected to county response systems.

Veterans seeking crisis support can access the Veterans Crisis Line by dialing 988 and pressing “1.”

In addition to phone support, residents who prefer text-based communication can reach the statewide Crisis Text Line by texting “MN” to 741741 to connect with trained crisis counselors.

Additional Mental Health and Stabilization Resources Available

Anoka County officials note that mental health crises are often connected to broader challenges involving housing instability, substance use disorders, financial hardship, or lack of long-term support services.

The county’s Adult Mental Health Intake unit, reachable at 763-324-1420, serves as a primary access point for residents seeking case management services, mental health evaluations, insurance navigation assistance, and referrals to ongoing treatment programs.

Additional support resources available in the area include:

• Minnesota Warmline: Peer support services available Tuesday through Saturday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at 651-288-0400.
• Stepping Stone Emergency Housing: Emergency housing assistance at 763-323-7006.
• Salvation Army Coon Rapids: Family housing and stabilization support at 763-755-6873.
• Anoka County Chemical Health Services: Substance use and recovery assistance through 763-324-1420.

Mental Health Awareness Month is observed nationally each May to promote awareness, reduce stigma surrounding mental illness, and encourage individuals to seek treatment and support services when needed.

Public safety officials continue to stress that residents facing mental health emergencies are not alone and that seeking help early can significantly improve outcomes for individuals and families.

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