Testimonials

The CIT program is a community based collaborative between consumers, families, the Mental Health LME, law enforcement agencies, mental health providers, NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) consumer advocacy organization, the community college, and the medical community.

Law enforcement officers are frequently first responders to people in crisis. Therefore, CIT training facilitates ongoing collaboration between law enforcement and the mental health community. CIT is designed to assist law enforcement officers who respond to incidents involving people experiencing a crisis. Police officers receive 40 hours of training on a variety of topics, including an Overview of Mental Health, Geriatrics, Substance Abuse/Co-Occurring Disorders, Special Concerns with Adolescents, Mental Health Commitment Process, Personality Disorders, Developmental Disabilities, Autism, Suicide, Trauma and its aftermath, Homelessness Crisis Intervention and De-escalation.

Strong mental health partnerships
Police officers respond to people in crisis using viable options, when appropriate, for linking individuals with needed mental health treatment in lieu of arrest and incarceration.

Significant consumer and family involvement
Consumer and family advocates are integrally involved in the design and implementation of CIT programs.

The local chapters of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) are major advocates for consumers, families and police departments in our area.  Rowan Cabarrus Community College has been instrumental in the success of CIT.