Connections helps train police officers

November 9, 2007 This week members of Connections' CPST staff participated in Crisis Intervention Training with police officers from the Cleveland Police Department and the Highland Heights Police Deparment. This training is designed to help the officers increase their awareness and senstivity when interacting with individuals who have mental illness. The training included de-escalation skills that the officers can use when working in the field. On Wednesday five staff members allowed the officers to shadow them as they made CPST visits with our clients. On Thursday and Friday four staff members participated in role playing with the officers. Staff acted out crisis scenarios and the officers were able to practice the de-escalation skills they had learned throughout the week. Staff in our CPST (Community Psychiatric Supportive Treatment) program provide assessment of needs to clients with severe and persistent mental illness and target interventions to increase the clent's capacity to positively function within the community. Connections employs more than seventy-five CPST staff. Since 1969, Connections: Health • Wellness • Advocacy has been dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness and chemical dependency, as well as advocating on behalf of patients and their families. Connections helps individuals achieve and maintain good health, promotes wellness, and provides advocacy to clients and their families. Through our programs and services, Connections links the physical, emotional, and psychological aspects of mental illness. By doing so, clients can make a connection - a connection between their inner resources, emotions, family and community. To learn more please contact Mindi Axner, Director of Development at 216-831-6466 ext. 265, or e-mail Mindi at maxner@connectionscleveland.org