A group of 25 local law enforcement officers, hospital security personnel, and school security officers graduated from Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training on Friday, July 10, 2020.

CIT trained officers undergo 40 hours of intensive training, which helps them identify mental health resources to assist people in crisis. The training connects officers with mental health professionals and other community agencies to create a team that can provide support when a challenging situation occurs. In addition, officers learn verbal de-escalation skills and experience scenario-based training on responding to crises.

CIT training benefits officers and the community in numerous ways, including diverting nonviolent offenders from overcrowded jails and decreasing arrests when appropriate.

“We are proud of the officers and those from other community agencies who have completed this training,” said Candace Allen, CIT Coordinator and Senior Director of Adult Intensive Mental Health Services at Helen Ross McNabb Center. “These skills will assist them when they encounter individuals in psychiatric crisis through increased knowledge of behavioral health and de-escalation techniques”.

The July 2020 CIT class included officers from the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, Knox County School’s Security Officers, Alcoa Police Department, the University of Tennessee Medical Center Hospital Security, and Covenant Health Hospital Security.

Helen Ross McNabb Center is a premier not-for-profit provider of behavioral health services in East Tennessee. Since 1948, the Center has provided quality and compassionate care to children, adults and families experiencing mental illness, addiction and social challenges. As the Center celebrates more than 70 years of providing services to communities in East Tennessee, its mission remains clear and simple; “Improving the lives of the people we serve.” For more information, visit www.mcnabbccenter.org<http://www.mcnabbccenter.org> or call 865-637-9711.