N.C. First Responders Complete Crisis Intervention Training

Sept. 19--DURHAM -- September is National Suicide Prevention Month and mental illness and its effects are on the minds of many -- none more than the 24 Durham County first responders who graduated from crisis intervention training Friday.

The Crisis Intervention Training program, or CIT, helps law enforcement and EMS workers work with people who have to come in contact with members of the community who have mental illnesses and are in danger.

"We cover all varieties of topics during the course," Durham County Sheriff's Office Capt. Elijah Bazemore said. "Substance-related issues, age issues, stress, suicide, you name it. We cover all of our bases."

The program, which is in its eighth year and has certified 672 people, is a collaboration with various agencies including the Sheriff's Office, Durham Police Department, N.C. Central University, Durham Technical Community College and Duke University police, Durham County EMS and the Durham County Fire Department.

"It's important that we all come together because we all have a lot in common and all of these agencies have to work together at some time or another so it's good if they all have the same training," Bazemore said.

The training is a voluntary, weeklong, 40-hour course that expands the number and types of calls to which the workers can respond.

"I used to get annoyed when calls would come in and someone would request a CIT officer because it meant I couldn't go and help," Durham police officer Howard Davis said. "But now I can."

Ann Oshel of Alliance Behavioral Healthcare, who works with the departments on the program, said it's important for the law enforcement to have these skills because it opens options.

"The CIT program is intended to not only divert people from jails into treatment but it is also intended to increase the knowledge and skills of First Responders to assess for suicide intent and harm and how to better handle encounters when a person is actively suicidal," she said. "There have been several instances where these skills have literally saved a person's life. We depend on our law enforcement partners to know how to deal with these calls to ensure someone gets the help and treatment they need in a manner that is respectful and sensitive. It also provides us the opportunity to dispel the myths and stigma associated with mental illness. It is a vital partnership with mental health providers and advocates."

Sheriff Mike Andrews said the environment law enforcement works in is not an easy one and training that gives officers and EMS workers a leg up is definitely a good thing.

"I'm a big supporter of all of you being able to go home," Andrews said. "This program is much needed and it's important to recognize that not all people need to go to jail. Some need to be reached in other ways."

Duke University police officer Kelly George shared a story in which his training officer was shot and killed while on a call and he said if his friend had access to the CIT program, he might still be alive.

"The first thing they teach you is safety first," he said. "The most important thing we can do as officers is to slow down and listen to the people we're interacting with. You don't need to have your hand on your gun every time you go on a call."

When going on an attempted suicide call, the main goal of the officers is to prevent any harm from coming to the suicidal person, N.C. Central University interim police chief Willie Bell said.

"When we respond to a thoughts of suicide call, the police officer's goal is to prevent an attempted suicide in the future by ensuring the person receives assistance from a mental health professional," he said. "The officer will talk to the person, and has several choices. The officer can refer the person or take the person to the Counseling Center on campus."

The university tracks the thoughts and attempts of suicide and actual suicides separately. In 2014, the university had five thoughts or attempts of suicide but none that came to fruition.

However, the university has had one suicide victim in 2015 -- Hesakahi McCoy, 18, of Columbia, S.C. Bell said the case is still being investigated by the State Medical Examiner's Office.

The training had a positive effect on the officers involved, including Antoinette Carter who works as a detention officer at the Durham County Sheriff's Office.

"I took this job 12 years ago really hoping to change someone's life," she said. "Over the years that light has really diminished in me but after this week and this class I can say it's back and I can't wait to see what I can do."

Copyright 2015 - The Herald-Sun, Durham, N.C.