Local and State law enforcement officers from Mobile Team Unit 1 (MTU 1) serve six surrounding counties. They attend various in-service training programs to upgrade their knowledge and skill. One of those programs, similar to Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training, teaches the skills necessary to interact with those in a mental health crisis.
This one-day training, according to Doug Fargher, MTU 1 Director, is a condensed version of the 40-hour CIT training. Also, it is less costly to attend for law enforcement. Nevertheless, some smaller departments often do not have excess funds to send an Officer to the one-day, in-service training.
With this $3000 contribution to MTU 1, NAMI Sauk Area hopes to alleviate those financial expenses. Maggie Wike, member of NAMI Sauk Area and 5K Race Director, is shown with Director Fargher.
The not-for-profit held its first “5K Run & Walk Beside Us” fundraiser in June 2015. NAMI Sauk Valley raised funds through corporate sponsorships, donations, and participant entry fees.
Wike, 5K Race Director, has been planning and organizing this year’s race, which will be held at Hoover Park in Sterling, IL, on Saturday, July 16, 2016. If you are interested in supporting their cause, go to www.runsignup.com and search for “NAMI Sauk Area.”
“I think it’s important to let the community know how the funds from last year’s race were used for education in our area:
- offering NAMI Family-to-Family classes at no charge to families
- training for Family-to-Family instructors and support group facilitators
- purchasing informational brochures
- supplying informational packets at local hospitals for families that suddenly don’t know where to turn
- now training of local law enforcement.”
Wike continues, “We are hoping to double the number of participants for our event from last year, so that we can double the education and help eliminate the stigma often associated with mental illness.”
NAMI Sauk Area members know the importance of CIT training. They have seen the results first-hand. Several area law enforcement officers have been CIT trained. Why is there an increasing need for CIT trained officers?
Mary Brokaw, President of NAMI Sauk Area, explains, “The increasing reduction of treatment options for those with mental illness has led to increased encounters with law enforcement. CIT training educates law enforcement about mental illness, teaches communication strategies with those in crisis, and gives attendees opportunities to hear first-hand stories from individuals with mental illness and the importance of law enforcement in their lives. In gratitude for the effort already put forth by law enforcement in the counties they serve, NAMI Sauk Area is contributing $3000, for the continued training of Police Officers willing to learn the skills necessary to interact with those in a mental health crisis, for the purpose of achieving successful outcomes.”