of Bucks County Pennsylvania
Bucks County's Voice on Mental Illness
NAMI PA
Bucks County
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of Bucks County Pennsylvania Bucks County's Voice on Mental Illness
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MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS Number 1-800-499-7455
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Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) on the Move Across AmericaCrisis Intervention Training (CIT) programs are designed to educate and prepare police officers who come into contact with people with severe mental illnesses to recognize the signs and symptoms of these illnesses, and to respond effectively and appropriately to people who are experiencing a psychiatric crisis. Because police officers are often the first responders in these incidents, it is essential that they know how critical periods of mental illness alter behaviors and perceptions, can assess what is needed in the moment, and can bring understanding and compassion to bear when they are handling these difficult situations. CIT training provides them with the skills to make a safer intervention for themselves, for the consumer in a crisis, for the consumer’s family and for the community. A key feature of the training teaches police officers effective methods of de-escalating the crisis situation and "reaching" the person in crisis. This approach allows consumers in distress to participate in the decisions about their treatment and facilitates consensus about the immediate safe course to follow. CIT History, Training Curricula and OutcomesMemphis, Tennessee is credited with the first program started in 1987. The Memphis, Tennessee Police Department established their CIT program to address concerns from the public over a few high profile incidents. A number of jurisdictions across the United States have adopted similar programs, and NAMI organizations are urging more to do so. The Memphis Police Department CIT Academy program is a forty-hour course that is completed in a one-week session. The instructors include Physicians, Psychologists, Licensed Social Workers, Specialists, and Police Instructors. CIT Academy students receive training in:
CIT Academy students also complete scenario-based training and testing. Students must complete a series of scenarios taken from actual mental health related cases. Students are evaluated by mental health professionals and experienced CIT officers. A large portion of the academy is hands-on training that is facilitated by site visits. Students will interact with mental health consumers who are high functioning, as well as consumers with civil commitments to treatment, and those who are committed to a forensic unit. Students will tour various facilities to receive an understanding of the entire mental health system. Findings of program effectiveness, compiled by the Memphis Police Department's CIT teams, are beginning to be replicated in outcome studies in other states where the program has been instituted:. 1. Criminal recidivism by mental health consumers is reduced. 2. The relationships between law enforcement and mental health care providers are improved. 3. Less than 1% taken to a hospital emergency room were found NOT to need emergency medical or psychological care 4. Officer injury rates are reduced. For more information, contact the Criminal Justice/Mental Health Consensus Project website Related Topics: |
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