What Does a Crisis Intervention Team Do, Crisis intervention teams (CITs) are now widely recognized as a transformative approach in public safety and behavioral health. With mental health crises increasing across the United States, CITs offer a specialized response that blends law enforcement expertise with mental health care knowledge. Understanding what a crisis intervention team does is essential for communities considering or expanding CIT programs, as well as for anyone interested in the intersection of public safety and mental health care.
What Is a Crisis Intervention Team?
Before diving into the specific duties, it’s important to define what a crisis intervention team is. CITs are multidisciplinary teams, typically made up of specially trained police officers, mental health professionals, and community partners, working together to respond to behavioral health crises safely and humanely. The goal is to de-escalate potentially volatile situations and connect people experiencing mental health issues to appropriate care rather than the criminal justice system.
Primary Functions of a Crisis Intervention Team
A crisis intervention team performs several key roles to ensure that mental health emergencies are managed appropriately:
1. Immediate Crisis Response and De-Escalation
CIT officers respond to calls involving individuals experiencing mental health crises, such as psychotic episodes, suicidal ideation, or severe anxiety attacks. Their training prepares them to use verbal de-escalation techniques that calm individuals and avoid the need for force. This response reduces the risk of harm to the person in crisis, the responding officers, and the public.
2. Mental Health Assessment and Triage
During a crisis intervention, CIT members assess the individual’s mental state and determine the level of risk and the most appropriate response. This may involve deciding if the person requires emergency psychiatric hospitalization, community-based care, or other resources. Having this specialized assessment ability on scene accelerates access to the right help.
3. Safe Transportation and Referral
CIT programs often coordinate with local psychiatric emergency facilities or crisis stabilization centers that have no-refusal policies, ensuring individuals in crisis can be quickly transported and admitted. When hospitalization is not necessary, CIT officers make referrals to outpatient treatment programs, counseling services, or peer support networks to promote long-term stability.
4. Crisis Prevention and Follow-up
Some CIT models include outreach components where team members or affiliated mental health professionals conduct follow-up visits after the crisis to link individuals to ongoing care and prevent recurrence. This proactive role enhances recovery and reduces repeat crises.
5. Collaboration and Coordination
A vital part of a CIT’s work is its role as a bridge between law enforcement, mental health systems, social services, and families. This collaboration includes information sharing, joint training, and policy development to improve systemic responses to mental health emergencies.
6. Education and Training
CITs educate not only first responders but also community members and stakeholders about mental health conditions, crisis signs, and local resources. This outreach raises awareness and reduces stigma, which can often compound crisis situations.
Specialized Roles Within a Crisis Intervention Team
Within the team, members have distinct but complementary responsibilities:
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CIT Officers: Trained to recognize mental health symptoms, de-escalate situations, and coordinate referrals to treatment. They serve as the first point of contact and manage the scene safely.
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Mental Health Clinicians: In co-responder models, clinicians often accompany officers or provide remote consultation. They offer clinical expertise, conduct assessments, and assist with treatment planning.
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Dispatchers: Trained to identify potential mental health crisis calls and dispatch appropriately trained CIT officers, ensuring rapid and specialized response.
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Community Partners: Advocates, peer support workers, social services, and facilities collaborate in linking individuals to resources and supporting recovery.
Outcomes of Crisis Intervention Team Activities
CIT programs have demonstrated numerous benefits and positive outcomes:
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Decreased use of force and officer injuries during mental health call responses
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Reduced arrests and criminal justice involvement of individuals with mental illnesses
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Increased linkage to mental health care and community services
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Improved officer confidence and job satisfaction through specialized training
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Enhanced community trust and safety
Communities that successfully implement CIT programs see measurable improvements in both public safety and behavioral health outcomes.
Challenges and Considerations
While CITs provide significant benefits, some challenges require attention:
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Funding constraints may limit training and crisis facility availability.
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Ensuring consistent training across jurisdictions can be difficult in countywide or regional programs.
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Housing and follow-up services are essential to long-term success but may be insufficient in some areas.
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Police involvement in behavioral health can raise questions about appropriate roles and alternatives, requiring ongoing evaluation and community dialogue.
Further Resources and Support
Expert organizations like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) provide comprehensive resources, training materials, and policy recommendations for developing and supporting crisis intervention teams. Their guidance is invaluable for communities building or enhancing CIT programs.
Learn more here:
NAMI Crisis Intervention Team Programs.
Read More: How to Build a Countywide Crisis Intervention Team: A Step-by-Step Guide
Conclusion
What Does a Crisis Intervention Team Do, Crisis intervention teams play a critical role in modern crisis response by safely managing mental health emergencies, promoting treatment over incarceration, and fostering community collaboration. Their comprehensive approach—from de-escalation to referrals and education—makes them a cornerstone of effective public safety and behavioral health integration. As communities continue to grapple with behavioral health challenges, understanding and supporting the work of CITs remains more important than ever.
