Crisis Intervention Team -CIT
Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) is a partnership program between first responders, the mental health system, and consumers and families working towards better outcomes for mental health persons in crisis; including those with substance use disorders and those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Upcoming CIT Training
Mon, Mar 24FC Gov. 4th Floor Multi-Purpose RoomMar 24, 2025, 8:00 AM – Mar 28, 2025, 4:00 PMFC Gov. 4th Floor Multi-Purpose Room, 201 N Chestnut St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA
Building Partnerships
CIT was developed in 1988 when the Memphis Police Department joined in partnership with the Memphis Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), mental health providers, and two local universities (the University of Memphis and the University of Tennessee) in organizing, training, and implementing a specialized unit. Since that time CIT has been adopted throughout the United States as well as several other countries.
Est. 2007 in Forsyth County
CIT began in Forsyth County in February 2007. Our CIT Program graduates approximately 85 Forsyth County first responders each year. The training and program for first responders is a critical component of CIT. The training consists of classroom lectures, field visits, and role-plays whereby first responders practice de-escalation skills. The individual blocks of training are prepared by skilled mental health professionals with a particular area of expertise. Site visits to community resources that support persons with mental health issues are an integral component of the program along with peer and/or family panels to expand learning opportunities.
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5 System Transformations
since CIT's inception in Forsyth County
The overall objective of CIT is to train first responders and other related personnel in developing a more intelligent, understandable, and safe approach to individuals with mental illness facing a crisis and get help for the individual -- as an alternative to jail.
Jail Diversion
Avoiding or radically reducing jail time by using community based treatment as an alternative. Community Based involves partnership with first responders, families and individuals living with mental illness. Lack of services or barriers to service will increase the likelihood that people with mental illness will end up in jail.
2M
Approx. 2 mil. adults with severe mental illness are in U.S. jails per year; 72-75% - co-occurring drug or alcohol problems.
68%
56% of state-run prison inmates have a history of mental illness; 68% in jail overall with Mental ilIness.
68%
Women in local jails have a high rate of serious mental illness - 41% men vs 68% women.
38k
2016, Treatment Advocacy Center, there are 38,000 beds in U.S. state-run psychiatric hospitals.
2x
Women make up 7% of the prison population have 2x rate of mental illness than men.
Chief Penn, Winston-Salem Police Department
Crisis Intervention Training equips officers with essential skills and resources to effectively manage and de-escalate situations involving individuals experiencing mental health crises, ensuring safety and compassion. While our Basic Law Enforcement Training introduces these concepts, it's acknowledged that law enforcement and mental health training differ. Additional instruction from certified experts enhances our ability to secure the hope and wellbeing of our community.
CIT is a win, win, proposition!
