Crisis intervention team (CIT) programs aim to promote stronger community relations among crisis response team members, including law enforcement officers and mental health providers. These professionals work together to respond to crisis events and use specialized CIT training programs to enhance their understanding of vulnerable populations to better serve the public and aid in destigmatizing attitudes toward individuals with mental illness. In this assignment, you will reflect on how a CIT approach can improve lines of communication and crisis intervention outcomes for those involved in crises.

First, you can begin by reading the peer-reviewed academic journal article, “Utilizing Crisis Intervention Teams in Prison to Improve Officer Knowledge, Stigmatizing Attitudes, and Perception of Response Options.” Next, review the NAMI webpage on Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) ProgramsLinks to an external site..