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.
