Emotionally Disturbed Persons Response TeamsCrisis Intervention Teams A

Emotionally Disturbed Persons Response Teams/Crisis Intervention Teams: A Law Enforcement Response to Mental Health Crisis Intervention Presented by: Sgt. Eric Weaver (Ret. )

Terminology EDPRT: Emotionally Disturbed Persons Response Team n CIT: Crisis Intervention Team n 2

EDPRT Definition n n A group of officers specially trained, on a voluntary basis, to deal with emotionally disturbed individuals in a variety of situations in the community. These situations may include suicidal persons, persons exhibiting irrational behavior, handling psychiatric patients, the homeless, addressing various mental health concerns and/or referrals, and any other situations that deal specifically with the needs of the mental health community and emotionally disturbed persons. 3

Why Mental Health Training for Law Enforcement? n Recognizing the need for: -Awareness -Communications skills -Knowledge of Signs & Symptoms -Decriminalization 4

Why Mental Health Training for Law Enforcement? n Recognizing the need for: -Awareness -Communications skills -Knowledge of Signs & Symptoms -Decriminalization -Overcoming the Stigmas of Mental Illness 5

Training includes Indicators of Emotional Disturbance n Mental Illness-Signs and Symptoms n Communication Skills n Stigmas surrounding Mental Illness n Suicide n Role Plays n Mental Hygiene Law n 6

Training includes Specific Mental Illnesses n Juvenile Mental Health Issues n Elderly Mental Health Issues n Police Stress/Mental Health n Medications n Community Resources n Family Members and Personal Stories n 7

What else is EDPRT/CIT about? Training n Responding to those in crisis n Suicide intervention n Follow-ups n Saving lives n 8

Successes n n n Although it would be impossible to accurately document, the training and positive interaction between EDPRT members and the thousands of individuals encountered has undoubtedly: Saved lives Reduced the need for physical force-resulting in great reductions in injury rates to officers and individuals Has reduced the amount of police calls for service Diverted individuals from incarceration Has created an atmosphere of cooperation, coordination, and communication between the police agencies and the mental health community. 9

It is also about Community Involvement& Empowerment: Planning & Scheduling n Involvement in Training n Cooperation n Coordination n Communication n 10

It is also about Partnerships with: Mental Health Providers n Consumers n Community Programs/Services (i. e. NAMI) n 11

It is also about: Leadership n Investments/Ownerships n Understanding/Patience n Compassion n Knowledge n Hope n 12

Contact Sgt. Eric Weaver (Ret. ) Executive Director Overcoming The Darkness P. O. Box 327 Penfield, NY 14526 eric@overcomingthedarkness. com www. overcomingthedarkness. com 585 -410 -5544 13