Individuals with mental illness who have multiple encounters with law enforcement

Abstract

Abstract This exploratory study examined the impact of the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) model on criminal/legal encounters and mental health treatment engagement for individuals who have repeated encounters with law enforcement (n = 53), comparing individuals with serious mental illness (SMI)-only to those with a co-occurring disorder. Law enforcement call reports, jail stays, and mental health treatment data were collected over three years from one Midwestern county where CIT was implemented. Cox regression hazard ratio results indicated the time to first mental health encounter after the implementation of CIT was quicker for those who were identified as having a co-occurring disorder. The next step in jail diversion involves training law enforcement on the identification and diversion of individuals with mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorder, along with creating more integrated systems of treatment.