By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
- Twenty-six first responders from seven agencies in Elkhart County, Indiana, completed a weeklong Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training program.
- The 40-hour course focused on de-escalation techniques, suicide prevention and responding to behavioral health emergencies.
- The program was hosted by Elkhart County Court Services and included collaboration between police officers, firefighters and social workers.
- More than 330 local responders have completed CIT training since the county launched the program in 2016.
- Officials say the training helps improve outcomes during mental health calls by connecting individuals in crisis with appropriate services.
GOSHEN, Ind. — Twenty-six first responders from multiple agencies in Elkhart County completed a weeklong Crisis Intervention Team training program designed to help them better respond to individuals experiencing mental health crises.
The 40-hour course, hosted by Elkhart County Court Services, provided training in de-escalation strategies, suicide prevention and techniques for managing behavioral health emergencies. Participants included police officers, firefighters and other public safety personnel from seven agencies across the county.
The program also included sessions led by community members and mental health professionals, covering topics such as substance use disorder and experiences of individuals living with mental illness. Participants visited local service providers, including the Oaklawn Crisis Center and Lexington House, to better understand available resources for individuals in crisis.
Social workers with the Goshen Police Department and other agencies said the training helps standardize responses among law enforcement, fire and behavioral health partners who often respond together on calls. The training allows responders to better understand each other’s roles and coordinate care when individuals need social or medical support rather than criminal enforcement.
More than 330 responders in Elkhart County have completed Crisis Intervention Team training since the program began in 2016. Officials say the training has also helped support initiatives such as Goshen’s Mobile Integrated Health unit, which brings together paramedics, clinicians and police officers to respond collaboratively to behavioral health calls.
Local leaders say the program aims to reduce escalation during crisis incidents and connect individuals with appropriate services, noting that successful de-escalation often results in incidents that receive little public attention but allow everyone involved to safely return home.