Mental health crisis training offered for public safety professionals

GRAND RAPIDS ? The Upper Midwest Community Policing Institute is offering a 1-day course (8 POST credits) titled, De-escalation Strategies for Persons with Mental Illness or Behavioral Disorders in Crisis, which is being hosted by the Grand Rapids Police Department and the Itasca County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday, Dec. 6, at the Blandin Foundation in Grand Rapids.

There is no cost to attend; a working lunch will be provided. Training is from 8 a.m. ? 4:30 p.m., with sign-in at 7:30 a.m. To register for the class, visit www.umcpi.org or call 651-287-7441. The class will be held in the Blandin Foundation Stender Community Room located at 100 N. Pokegama Ave. in Grand Rapids.

Public safety personnel routinely provide the first line of crisis response for situations involving persons with mental illnesses or behavior disorders. These calls for service constitute between seven and ten percent of all police contacts and pose operational challenges for public safety personnel. Recently, military veterans experiencing stress-related disorders while reintegrating to civilian life have been included in these populations.

If first responders can recognize various types of mental illness and behavioral disorders, along with any underlying conditions or addictions, they can be better equipped to protect themselves and those involved. When it is possible to diffuse situations without the use of physical force, all parties benefit.

Training content includes:

? Identify and discuss common mental illnesses and behavior disorders that may

present underlying causes leading to a

crisis situation.

? Recognize factors that contribute to a

stress-related conditions that create the potential for crisis: Challenges resulting from

military training and combat experience;

effects of severe and repeated trauma;

post-traumatic stress (PTS) and traumatic

brain injury (TBI)

? Identify strategies to assess and effectively

manage the outcomes of emotionally disturbed persons in crisis

? Learn communication skills that form a

basis for de-escalation techniques

? Learn alternative dispute resolution tactics

to prevent escalation of incidents

? Learn de-escalation tactics to mitigate

conditions that prolong a crisis state

? Utilize case studies and videos to demonstrate successful de-escalation strategies

? Identify Minnesota resources for persons

in crisis and their families

The purpose of this course is to support

all persons in crisis by training public safety

professionals to use adaptable crisis intervention techniques to help manage the unique

needs of a person in a mental health crisis.