Law Enforcement
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About Training...
Mental Health America provides training programs for law enforcement officers about safe and effective interaction with persons who are mentally ill and in crisis. Programs include the 40-hour CIT (Crisis Intervention Team)/Mental Health Response Team programs, an 8-hour in-service day, or programs designed to fit your needs. For more information, schedule of upcoming training programs or to set up a training program contact Liz Atwell at 513-721-2910 or email at eatwell@mhaswoh.org.
Why CIT/MHRT?
Generally 10% of police calls will involve someone with a mental illness. The safety of law enforcement and other criminal justice professionals, persons with mental illness, and citizens can be compromised when officers are not adequately prepared to respond to such calls. The goal of CIT is to promote safety by:
1) Educating law enforcement on mental illnesses
2) Having officers learn about the characteristics associated with untreated mental illnesses and practice skills designed to deescalate certain behaviors
According to the Bureau of Statistics, approximately 54% of the population in state prisons, federal prisons, and local jails are mentally ill individuals. And on average, about 25% of those individuals receive any kind of treatment. Additionally, criminal justice professionals do not recieve adequate special populations trainng in order to keep individuals on traget with community treatment and out of the criminal justice system. As a proactive program, MHA works to create "win-win" solutions for all persons involved.
CIT is not just for police officers but also benefical for all other types of first responders.
*Funded in part by the Hamilton County Mental Health & Recovery Services Board, The City of Cincinnati, and private donations.
Upcoming Training Announcements: CIT/MHRT Training
2012 Calendar of Training will be posted in January.
Americans with severe mental illnesses are three times more likely to be in jail or prison than in a psychiatric hospital, according to "More Mentally Ill Persons Are in Jails and Prisons Than Hospitals: A Survey of the States," a new report by the Treatment Advocacy Center and the National Sheriffs’ Association. link to article
Read the Winter Edition for 2011 of DUTIFUL MINDS: Information for Ohio CIT's Graduates
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