St. Joseph County First Responders Complete Crisis Intervention Training

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Fifty first responders in St. Joseph County have completed special training aimed at improving their response to individuals with mental health challenges.

A graduation ceremony was held at the South Bend Police Department to mark the completion of Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training. The program equips first responders with tools to better handle calls involving mental illness, substance abuse, and behavioral health issues.

CIT training also focuses on diverting people with serious mental illness and substance use disorders away from the criminal justice system and toward appropriate treatment services.