Fort Worth Police Department’s Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) is making strides in improving the interaction between law enforcement and individuals experiencing mental health crises. The CIT’s mission is to increase the effectiveness of the police department by fostering communication with the behavioral health community and developing solutions to assist those in need while reducing involvement with the criminal justice system.

Why it matters: The CIT, in partnership with Tarrant County MHMR Law Liaisons, who are experts in mental health, work together to proactively engage with individuals who may pose a threat to the community due to their mental health conditions. This collaborative approach ensures that the residents of Fort Worth receive the best possible mental health response from law enforcement officers in the field.

The bottom line: The focus of the CIT is to reduce the hazards associated with interactions between law enforcement and individuals with mental illness. By providing guidance in areas such as training, policy, procedures and oversight, the CIT aims to improve the safety of both officers and the community at large.

In addition to their proactive efforts, the CIT also provides information about available mental health resources to the community.

• Tarrant Country MHMR iCare is one such resource, which can be reached at 817-335-3022.
• The National Suicide Hotline, which can be dialed by dialing 988 from any phone, is another crucial resource for those in need.
• John Peter Smith Hospital psych emergency can also be contacted at 817-702-3636.

Furthermore, the CIT encourages individuals and families affected by mental illness to visit nami.org, the National Alliance on Mental Illness. NAMI provides advocacy, education, support and public awareness to help individuals build better lives.

The CIT’s efforts to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the behavioral health community have already shown promising results in Fort Worth. By developing effective solutions, providing guidance and promoting awareness about available mental health resources, the CIT is working towards a safer and more compassionate approach to handling mental health crises in the community.