Police De Escalation Training
When I first learned that NAMI facilitates Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) for Wisconsin police departments, I knew I wanted to be involved. This training program helps to educate officers about the types of mental health calls they may encounter, signs to recognize when someone is in a mental health crisis, and how they can deescalate a situation, instead of adding fuel to the fire. I often say that I’m fortunate my manic episode in 2018 didn’t involve a call to law enforcement, but when my parents pulled into the roundabout of the ER lobby entrance and attempted to get me out of the car, security and hospital police had to ultimately grab and restrain me until I could be sedated and pumped with fluids while my brain rested.
Sitting in my first meeting with my inpatient psychiatrist, he asked if I had ever been arrested, or could think of other times in my life when things got to an extreme, like just a few days ago. When everything seemed to be great in my mind, but maybe not so wonderful in reality. I thought back on all of the work trips and potential times I could have experienced a manic episode in a completely different circumstance. My worst flashbacks of possibilities? Being arrested on the strip in Las Vegas while in town for one of many conferences and expos I’d attend for work. A manic episode can look like alot of things. Someone drunk, or on drugs. Incoherent and not making much sense. Being in a place like Las Vegas, and having a mental health episode could have quickly landed me in jail, with no plan for mental health support or treatment.
The closest I ever got? Being kicked off of a black jack table at 3am, before walking a mile back to my hotel, ordering room service and showering to start another day of presentations and networking. I’ve been a choice or lucky circumstance away from a night in jail, with no connection between a crime and a mental health event. Somehow, I got medical help before it ever got to that.
I’ve been the one to call the police for a family member as well. Hoping they can step in and help in a time of need. When things have just gotten that bad. These interactions have gone really well, and really poorly - with a few things consistent throughout. The officers who have personal experience or even career experience dealing with mental health calls or crisis calls can have a hugely positive impact by slowing things down, sharing their knowledge, and applying learnings about mental health diagnosis, experiences and signs.
Every state has different laws - some more sensible than others. In Wisconsin, law enforcement can only step in if the person is a harm to themselves or others. That has to be a threat that is supported and evident - within the past 24 hours. Saying they wanted to hurt themselves last year doesn’t apply, and if they’re able to present themselves as ‘ok’ in the presence of law enforcement, there isn’t much they can do by way of forcing treatment or actions.
Simply learning this information has prevented many future calls from my family to 911 I’m sure. Now that we not only know what law enforcement can do, but we better understand the resources available - we don’t need to call on those emergency service resources as much. But hopefully their training will create more officers who can share information and spread knowledge.
Facilitating CIT trainings is extremely rewarding, but also incredibly draining. If you want to learn more about my role in the trainings as well as how it feels to be a part of the program, and what some of the experiences I had last year were - check out my IGTV or click below:
