The lack of mental health crisis services across the U.S. has resulted in law enforcement officers serving as first responders to most crises. A Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) program is an innovative, community-based approach to improve the outcomes of these encounters.
To help officers navigate the complex world of behavioral health-related crises, a 40-hour CIT training program was offered earlier this month at the Marysville Police Department, attended by law enforcement in Union, Logan and Champaign Counties. The training was also facilitated in connection with NAMI and the Mental Health Drug and Alcohol Services of Logan and Champaign Counties
Logan County law enforcement who attended the training and participated in the graduation day ceremony included Robert Hamilton III, Bellefontaine Police Department; and Travis Davidson and Brad Fleck, Washington Township Police Department.
Other law enforcement from Union and Champaign counties participating in the training included: Clint Lake, Kasie Sepeda, Christine Mercado, Elizabeth Zizelman, Ely Louck, Nicholas Jarman, Woodrow Geer, Alex Wargo, Cale Gibson, Zach Trout and Morgan Brown.
In more than 2,700 communities nationwide, CIT programs create connections between law enforcement, mental health providers, hospital emergency services and individuals with mental illness and their families.
Through collaborative community partnerships and intensive training, CIT improves communication, identifies mental health resources for those in crisis and ensures officer and community safety.
For more information about CIT, visit NAMI.org.