For stronger community, crisis training imperative

Sholeh Patrick’s column dated October 15, 2015 entitled “The tale behind jail crowding” brought to my attention the need that “solutions must exist on multiple platforms to be successful” and that “to address the person, in addition to the crime, is the more effective approach.”

Let’s address multiple platforms and possible solutions.

Sholeh states Kootenai County Mental Health Drug Court, run by Judge John Mitchell, reduces recidivism and offers treatment and rehabilitation options. And yet I recently read that this program is in jeopardy due to lack of funds. Solution…find the funds, in fact find the funds for a second drug court. We all commend Judge John Mitchell for his tenacity, efforts, and success in this program.

The State of Idaho has a mandated responsibility to its people to secure the funding needed for mental health care and it has failed miserably. It has substituted punishment for treatment. The American Psychiatric Association estimates that 50 percent of doctors are paid on a cash basis and not working with our population. Idaho has a huge shortage of psychiatrists and most don’t take Medicare.

Fortunately, we now have a mental health facility in CDA that will help. However, only 15 percent of police in the USA have Crisis Intervention Training. CIT training for officers is a multi-disciplinary 40-hour certified course that teaches them skills in assessing a mentally ill consumer and in crisis de-escalation skills and provides community resources information. CIT represents a collaboration of mental health, law enforcement, consumers and family members, local providers and the community. These are the multiple platforms I believe Sholeh is talking about.

What does CIT training mean for the local community? It decreases the use of force during a crisis situation; fewer officer injuries; saves time and resources; offers alternatives to arrest; improves communication with mental health professionals, consumers and family members; increases recognition and appreciation of officers.

And for the mental health community? Decreases use of expensive crisis resources; extends the crisis response system; offers earlier interventions; improves treatment outcome; improves communication with law enforcement, public resources and family members; improves opportunities for education and advocacy.

For consumers, CIT training decreases the use of force in situations; fewer consumer injuries, officers handle crisis in a respectful manner; provides treatment as alternative to jail; improves communication with law enforcement and mental health professionals; and offers opportunities to educate the community on mental health issues.

How can we start a CIT Training Program? Planning should include our Behavioral Health Department, our County Sheriff, our Police Chiefs Association and our local NAMI (National Alliance for Mentally Ill) Group.

I would encourage everyone to get in touch with the above entities. Our entire community will benefit. I would ask Sheriff Ben Wolfinger to address our community as to why this training has not been afforded to us.

JoAnn Lokken is a Kootenai County resident.