First responders and community members from across southern Missouri recently completed a 40-hour crisis intervention training course this month, designed to improve responses to mental health emergencies.
Hosted at the Ava Area Ambulance District training center, the five-week program featured classes on de-escalation tactics, reducing mental health stigma, first responder wellness and handling specific mental health issues.
Participants included personnel from the West Plains and Ava police departments, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the state Children's Division and the Ozark County Sheriff's Office. Ozark County led the region with seven attendees, said organizers.
“Never underestimate the impact that patience, compassion, understanding and simply taking the time to listen can have on someone experiencing a crisis," said Ozark County Sheriff Cass Martin. "Sometimes the way we handle a single encounter can change the direction of a person's life.”
Chris Bryant, crisis intervention program coordinator for the Ozark County Sheriff’s Office, noted that the cross-agency participation reflects a strong commitment to serving vulnerable populations. The Mid-South Council Region of the Missouri Crisis Intervention Team is made up of team members from Ozark, Wright, Texas and Douglas counties.
Ozarks Healthcare helped coordinate speakers and presenters for the training, and the Douglas County Health Department provided meals for attendees throughout the program.
