The Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training program is a community partnership that provides education, understanding, interventions, relationships, and protection for responding officers, individuals in crisis and the community. The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of CIT training amongst law enforcement officers in reducing stigmatizing attitudes and opinions on mental illnesses. The study uses a dependent means t-test to test the study participant’s attitudes and opinions on mental illnesses using a pre/post-test survey. A modified version of the Attitudes to Severe Mental Illness Scale was used to measure attitudes, beliefs, and opinions of mental illness. This modified version was developed based on CIT course material. The ultimate goal of this study was to gain insight within the law enforcement community as to whether or not CIT training is raising awareness on the issue of mental health. Findings from this study suggest that after participation, those in the CIT training reported lower levels of non-stigmatizing opinions and attitudes in two of the four factors being analyzed.

Psychiatric emergency services are recognized as an essential component in the provision of mental health care. This study describes the delivery of psychiatric emergency services in selected Oregon comm.unities. The theoretical framework was developed to consider the problem of psychiatric emergency service delivery from the perspective of the individual experiencing the emergency, the social milieu, and the health care system. The literature describing psychiatric emergency service programs, the characteristics of those who use these services and the roles of direct service providers was reviewed. On the basis of the review a study was undertaken to describe the delivery of psychiatric emergency services in selected Oregon counties, to identify variables that determine the nature of psychiatric emergency services provided and to develop recommendations for existing psychiatric emergency services.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 1984. / Vita. Bibliography: leaves [70]-78.

Throughout the last three decades there has been a shift in the provision of crisis services from the hospital to the community (Joy, Adams, & Rice, 2007). Further, the needs of individuals experiencing crises differ, making it essential that these community organizations are able to adapt to each client that they serve (Krupa, Stuart, Mathany, Smart, & Chen, 2010). Program evaluations are one way to determine if, and how, best services are being provided. Using a utilization-focused (Patton, 1997) process evaluation (Stufflebeam & Shinkfield, 2007) framework, the purpose of this study was to explore client perspectives on the services that they are receiving from Crisis Management Service (CMS). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 participants based on questions generated with CMS staff support. Using the general inductive approach (Thomas, 2006), transcripts were analyzed and eight dimensions emerged. The results illustrate client experiences with CMS, client perspectives on the care that they are receiving from CMS, and the benefits they are receiving from being involved with CMS. However, the findings also indicate, that participants would like to change some elements of the program (e.g., having more constant support and having more finances). This study provides valuable insight on clients’ perspectives, particularly that of vulnerable clients in crisis situations, an area that is not extensively researched. This research may also benefit individuals in helping professions as it highlights the effects of working from a strength-based model with at-risk individuals, and the need to engage clients in their move to a healthier lifestyle.

The criminal justice and mental health systems increasingly overlap as persons with mental illness (PMI) are disproportionately present throughout components of the criminal justice system, a concern to mental health and criminal justice professionals alike. In response, various initiatives (aimed across components of the criminal justice system) have been developed and implemented as a means of combating this overrepresentation. The following research will focus on one specialized police-based initiative, the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT), which aims to train police how to recognize mental illness, de-escalate persons in crisis, and to seek treatment-based alternatives to arrest, when appropriate (Schwarzfeld, Reuland, & Plotkin, 2008). Alternatives to arrest consist of various community-based mental health services such as public hospitals (some of which are designated as emergency receiving facilities, or ERFs) or private clinics. While the components of CIT training likely influence officers in unique ways, research has yet to empirically examine how CIT influences police perception, behavior or the incidence of referrals to mental health treatment. As an initial step, this research assessed the attitudes police have regarding the hospital and mental health system within their district. Specifically, this research provides a basic understanding of how police regard their local hospitals and mental health facilities that are posited as available alternatives to arrest, and help identify the role CIT plays in shaping these attitudes. This study found almost no significant difference in the attitudes CIT-trained officers had towards district ERF and the local mental health system as compared to non-CIT officers. Only in one of the six departments studied was there a significant difference between the attitudes of CIT-officers and non-CIT officers; with the non-CIT officers actually having more positive attitudes about their local mental health system than CIT-officers. The six departments studied had nearly similar attitudes of their mental health resources, which would barely be considered passing on a standard grading scale. While officers in this study do not have very positive attitudes towards the ERF they use to transport PMI or their districts’ mental health system, these attitudes may in fact be more positive than many police departments without any specialized approach or initiative. The significance and policy implications of these attitudes are discussed at length, as these findings speak to the need for increased attention by both the mental health and criminal justice systems. Recommendations for future research, including expanding this study to rural departments or agencies with no connection to CIT, are also outlined.

Thesis (Psy.D.)--Rutgers University, 2009. / "Graduate Program in Clinical Psychology." Includes bibliographical references (p. 88-97).

Thesis (MSD (EAP))--University of Pretoria, 2003.

Background Persons with severe mental illness (SMI) are vulnerable to mental health (MH) crises in the community. These crises often resulted in costly hospital admissions. Crisis Resolution Team (CRT) was implemented based on limited empirical evidence to address this problem. In 2001, UK implemented a national policy making CRT mandatory nationwide. Since then, more studies were performed on the effectiveness of CRT. It appeared CRT is cost effective in reduction of admissions. There was evidence of positive clinical outcome in comparison with standard care. Hong Kong does not have a specific community crisis program for people with SMI. It is desirable for policy makers to consider alternatives to reduce hospital admissions and to strengthen community support for people with SMI. Aims To evaluate the feasibility on the implementation of CRT Model in Hong Kong as a service to reduce hospital admissions. Method A review of current evidence on the effectiveness of CRT model and assess the feasibility and desirability of such model for implementation in Hong Kong. Results Evidence from observational studies and randomized controlled trials show CRT to be effective in the reduction of hospital admissions and inpatient days in the UK. CRT is also associated with higher acceptance from patients and family members than from standard care. CRT appears to be feasible against other service to address the acute needs of persons with SMI in reducing hospitalization. Conclusion A preliminary assessment ruled out a number of alternatives in dealing with mental health crises in the community. Preliminary results suggested the CRT model might be a feasible and desirable solution. There is evidence on the effectiveness of such teams in the UK. Successful implementation of CRT service in Hong Kong will be a challenge for stakeholders of the mental health system. / published_or_final_version / Public Health / Master / Master of Public Health

No description available.

There are four main components in this thesis: a literature review of program evaluation, a description and discussion of the current status of program evaluation in the crisis intervention literature, results and discussion of the formative evaluation which is the primary element of the thesis, and a report on the use of the Goal Attainment Follow-up Guide (GAFG) (Kiresuk & Sherman, 1968) and the Brief Derogatis Psychiatric Rating Scale (B-DPRS) (Derogatis, 1978) for community-based mobile crisis intervention programs. The data for the evaluation were gathered using both quantative and qualitative methods. There were 150 participants in the study: 89 females and 61 males. The mean age was 35. The GAFG was completed by 81 of the participants; 33 of the participants were administred the B-DPRS. There were three major findings in this evaluation. the participants contacted significantly more community agencies and spent less time in hospital after using the crisis program and the GAFG and B-DPRS were found to be unsuitable as outcome instruments for a community-based mobile crisis program. / xv, 208 leaves : ill. ; 28 cm.