Crisis Intervention Team (CIT)

What is Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training?

Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training educates law enforcement officers about the signs of individuals with mental illness, substance use disorders, or intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD). Many people need treatment instead of going to jail.

While Trillium offers the training, it is very much a community event. The training involves the local NAMI chapter, community colleges, provider agencies, hospitals, behavioral health professionals and, of course, law enforcement officials.

CIT provides information on the following topics:

• An introduction to CIT and the CIT partnership 
• Accessing Services  
• Symptoms and signs of severe mental illness  
• Medications for treatment of mental illness. 
• Personality disorders
• Substance abuse and co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse.  
• Developmental disabilities
• Dementia and aging
• Children's / adolescent's mental health
• Legal issues and mental health law
• Suicide intervention
• Post-traumatic stress disorder and effects of trauma
• Community resources
• Family and consumer perspectives
• Crisis intervention / de-escalation skills training
• Use of force continuum, including when to use and not use less lethal weapons
   

Why is CIT important to citizens?

Law enforcement and health officials say about 20 percent of police calls involve people having a mental health crisis. Trillium staff has helped train hundreds of law enforcement staff throughout our area, including police officers, county deputies, school resource officers, university campus police, detention center officers and telecommunications staff. Citizens who call police to respond to someone in crisis can specifically ask for a CIT-trained police officer.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss a training, read our CIT Brochure or call 1-866-998-2597 and ask for a CIT coordinator or email CIT@TrilliumNC.org.

Upcoming CIT Training 

Exclusively for Law Enforcement Officers (LEO), Dispatchers, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Fire Personnel, and Telecommunicators in Trillium’s 46 counties

Build Confidence in Responding to Behavioral Health Crises.

Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training prepares first responders to safely and effectively support individuals experiencing behavioral health or substance use crises. Through a combination of expert instruction, scenario based exercises, and community engagement, participants learn how to de-escalate situations with empathy and connect individuals to appropriate care.

What You’ll Learn

• How to recognize signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use crises
• Effective de-escalation techniques that enhance safety
• Best practices for interacting with individuals in crisis with dignity and respect
• How to link people to community resources, treatment options, and ongoing support
• The role of trauma-informed response and how various factors contribute to crisis situations