RHA team members presented best practices for crisis intervention training in the Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing communities at the 2023 Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) International Conference in Detroit, Michigan.
The annual CIT International Conference, hosted by CIT International, is intended to promote the effective practice and implementation of the CIT program.
The Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) program is a community partnership of law enforcement, mental health and addiction professionals, individuals who live with mental illness and/or addiction disorders, their families, and other partners to improve community responses to mental health crises.
“It was a [good] opportunity to learn how different states and first responder services are joining forces with mental health and behavioral health professionals to provide the best support needed when dealing with an individual in a mental health or addiction crisis,” said Sherry Bridges with RHA.
Sherry was one of three team members at RHA who presented at the conference in a panel titled Crisis Intervention Training: Working with the Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing Community.
“Being my first CIT conference, it was eye opening… there is a lot of work to be done to bring awareness to how to properly meet the needs of the Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and Hard of Hearing communities. It is very important that we attend conferences like this to bring exposure to the current lack of services and supports, but also to be a part of the solution by providing training and bringing awareness to the issue,” said Sherry.
Tommy Moses Jr., one of the other presenters at the event, echoed Sherry’s thoughts: “It was great to see so many caring people… that already provide support and resources for their community, and were interested in increasing their knowledge and expertise in order to provide a better quality of support.”