It was a wild night in Portsmouth as police and medics were dispatched to three separate mental health emergencies — all within a few short hours — painting a disturbing picture of the deepening mental health crisis in our community.
At 7 p.m., staff at a local rehab facility called in the first report. A woman had stormed out of the facility against medical advice, threatening staff and causing a violent scene before heading toward the Shawnee tennis courts on Union Street. But by the time officers arrived, she was calmly walking back — no distress in sight.
Just an hour later, officers were back on the scene — this time at a different rehab center. Staff requested police assistance as they prepared to pink slip an out-of-control patient — a legal process used to involuntarily hospitalize someone in mental health crisis. Police stood by as medics transported the woman to the hospital by ambulance.
Then, just when you thought the evening had peaked, 911 lit up again at 9:30 p.m. Medics from Portsmouth Ambulance were stunned when a distressed woman jumped into their emergency vehicle parked on Chillicothe Street. She claimed someone in the Hurth Apartments was going to kill her and begged for protection. Officers responded quickly, but when they contacted a local mental health agency, they were told no help could be offered at that time.
Police noted that the woman was likely part of an ongoing pattern — yet no long-term solution was available.
😟 The Bigger Picture: A System Under Pressure
These back-to-back-to-back incidents are more than just isolated flare-ups — they’re symptoms of a broken system. Law enforcement, medics, and overwhelmed mental health workers are left scrambling to respond without the resources they need.
✅ What Can You Do?
💬 If you see someone in distress, call 911 — don’t ignore warning signs.
🏥 Support local mental health services and advocate for more funding and crisis beds.
🤝 Check on loved ones. Many in crisis suffer silently.
📞 Know the number for help. The National Mental Health Crisis Line is 988 — free, 24/7.
Until major changes come, Portsmouth’s first responders will keep being the front line for a crisis they weren’t trained — or equipped — to solve alone.