Kirksville, MO. — Some local first responders earning a key new tool in their kit when facing situations involving mental health and substance use.
Crisis intervention team training is a community-based program that focuses on de-escalation and connecting with individuals to resolve conflict.
CIT was developed in 1988 after police in Memphis, Tennessee shot and killed 27-year old Joseph Dwayne Robinson, who was suffering from a severe mental health episode.
The 40-hour program guides first responders of all kinds through scenarios ranging from suicidal episodes to handling autistic children.
The goal is to use collaboration and communication to avoid unnecessary force.
“We’re giving the tools to the first responders, and what we’ve found is it lowers the rates of aggressive incidents,” Nicole Rohn, a community behavioral health liaison with Mark Twain Behavioral Health, told KTVO.
CIT programs exist in all 50 states, though they may look unique to the county or agency.