A MENTAL HEALTH NEWSLETTER FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT PROFESSIONALS
 

Mental Health Association of Greater St. Louis A United Way Agency

In this issue . . .

Post-Holiday Blues can produce sorrow, loneliness and a lot of stress. How many times will you go on a call related to this condition? Perhaps a family disturbance fueled by the oncoming rush of VISA and Master Card bills. Maybe a traffic accident caused by inattention or drinking due to stress. Sometimes it could be the suicidal person who can’t bear to deal with the feelings associated with post-Holiday Blues. 

Three main reasons contribute to the Post-Holiday Blues: 

• Psychological – Unrealistic expectations of what the holidays will do for you. You get your hopes up for good things to happen, only to be disappointed when they do not. 
• Financial – You finally come to the realization that paying for all of those gifts may be more than you can handle.
• Physical – All of that food and drink has taken its toll. The weight loss and exercise program you decided upon has already gone by the wayside.

When you deal with these people on a call, you will not know that these factors have contributed to the predicament they are in. Stress can show itself in a variety of ways. Many times the Post-Holiday Blues can cause a person to do things they may not have normally done. That is often when we are called to help. 

There are several things a person can do when confronted with the Post-Holiday Blues. Some of these ideas may work on a call for help involving someone with the blues. 

1. Acknowledge your feelings – It can be normal to feel a bit letdown after the holidays. It’s important to find a positive way to express your feelings. 
2. Seek the support of others - This can be family or friends. They can help you focus on good times you’ve had and reduce feelings of loneliness.
3. Be real – Resolutions are often unrealistic. Do a little at a time. Doing too much can overwhelming and quite disheartening if you not a success.
4. Budget – Set up a budget plan that makes sense. Promise yourself to curb further spending until the holiday bills are paid.
5. Plan ahead – Some people find that planning their next holiday gives them something positive to look forward to. This can help give a fresh outlook on the future.
6. Get some rest – Find time to include some peace and quiet in your life. After the frenetic pace of the Holidays, a little down time can recharge the batteries.
7. Stay healthy – Get back to some healthy eating habits. Fend off the sweets and alcohol for a while. Give your body a chance to physically regenerate from the Holiday onslaught of non-nutritional foods and drink.

In the next few months, as you respond to calls involving someone in emotional distress, keep in mind that the Post-Holiday Blues may be the cause of those feelings. Understanding this can help you to deal with these people with the proper amount of care and concern.

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The first CIT (Crisis Intervention Team) class was offered in the fall of 2003, and now more than 200 officers from 17 police departments have participated in the training.

On November 12, 2004, more than 65 officers from 13 departments successfully completed the week-long, 40-hour program. Thanks to the Chesterfield Police Department for providing the training site, and Congratulations to the following officers who now join the ranks of CIT officers!

 
Congratulations to the Nov., 2004 CIT Graduates

                             
Major Tom Fitch and department chiefs present certificates to CIT Graduates 

     
Consumer and Family Panel Discussion at Nov. 2004 CIT Training    
(L-R) Steve Powell, Janet Ward, Melissa Hensley, Terry Adams, and John Schmittgens  

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CIT Corner is the newest column that appears regularly in Street Talk. CIT-trained officers will contribute articles to the column for the purpose of sharing information about the successes and expansion of CIT (Crisis Intervention Training) in the metropolitan area. 

The primary responsibilities of a police officer, adopted by the Executive Committee of the International Association of the Chiefs of Police, is stated: 

A police officer acts as an official representative of government who is required and trusted to work within the law.  The officer’s powers and duties are conferred by statute.  The fundamental duties of a police officer include serving the community; safeguarding lives and property; protecting the innocent; keeping the peace; and ensuring the rights of all to liberty, equality and justice. 

The Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) concept trains officers to ensure they can accept these responsibilities in order to provide better service to a person with a mental illness or in a mental health crisis. The training also gives police officers the ability to better protect not only a person in a mental health crisis but also fellow offices, family and innocent bystanders who may be put in danger by the actions of the person in crisis or the police who take action. 

Sgt. Dan Fleig, Maryland Heights Police Department, recently reported to the CIT Coordinating Council he had the opportunity to make contact with a consumer who has had recent contacts with officers while he was in crisis. The encounters always resulted in force being used to restrain the consumer in order to get him needed mental health evaluation. Dan said as he approached the individual he immediately recognized him and said, “It’s CIT!”  Dan took the opportunity to talk with him while he was in a calm state of mind and they discussed ways to handle any future encounters. Dan has a positive attitude about future encounters and will report the progress.  

Officer Ormerod, a trained CIT officer with St. Louis County Police Department, responded to an “attempt suicide” call in September. As soon as he arrived, he found the front door of the residence standing open and was immediately confronted by a male who was holding a knife to a female’s throat. The situation was tense with the female yelling, “He’s going to kill himself!” and the male yelling, “I just want to die!” A positive outcome depended on the actions taken by the officers on the scene who had to make the split second decision all officers are expected to do. Officer Ormerod used tactical communications learned at CIT training to get the man’s attention. Realizing the female was in immediate danger, as he spoke to the man, Ormerod prepared his Taser and communicated his actions to his back-up officer. He was able to deploy the Taser, which incapacitated the man long enough for them to restrain him with no injuries to anyone involved.   Later, at the emergency department, the man thanked Officer Ormerod for being there, not harming him and listening to him. 

All too often we read about lethal force being used on a person in a mental health crisis or about an officer who was killed in the line of duty by a person suffering from a mental illness. Neither is acceptable and most often, it is avoidable. We can all look back at these types of incidents and critique them, asking why another action was not taken. An officer trained in crisis intervention will have the ability to make a split second decision to use one of many options available to calm a situation down. After a citizen or officer is hurt or killed, it is too late to wish for the training. For more information on the CIT program, I can be contacted at barmfield@stlouisco.com or by calling 636-256-2602. There will be three CIT training weeks in 2005, weeks of March 21, July 25, and November 7. To inquire about registering, email Major Robert Trittler, St. Louis County Police Department, at rtrittler@stlouisco.com.

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By Sgt. Mark Koeller, St. Louis County Police Department, is a CIT officer and active member of the CIT Coordinating Council.

On Tuesday, November 30 an appreciation dinner was held to recognize members of local law enforcement agencies, mental health organizations and providers, consumers, advocates and family members for their efforts in the development, implementation and continued evaluation of the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Program. “Partnerships between the law enforcement and mental health community are critical in helping individuals when they are experiencing a mental health crisis. That is what CIT is all about,” said Major Robert Trittler, Commander of Special Operations for St. Louis County Police Department and Chair of the CIT Coordinating Council (photo at right).   

The 170 people in attendance enjoyed bagpipe music, a delicious dinner and lively program with Mr. Kim Hibbs from KSDK as the Master of Ceremonies (photo below left). Awards were presented to all CIT trained officers and supervisors of participating police departments and DePaul Health Center, which has had one of its emergency room nurses trained in CIT.  Behavioral Health Response (BHR), the Mental Health Association (MHA) and NAMI-St. Louis received awards acknowledging the agencies for being an integral part of the success of CIT. Special recognition was given to Mary Churchill, Ph.D., Maryville University (B&W Photo at right), Marge Parrish, Associate Program Director at MHA (photo at lower right) and Major Robert Trittler for their leadership and dedication to the development and continuation of the CIT Program. 

The CIT Coordinating Council, consisting of members from participating police departments, BHR, MHA and NAMI-St. Louis, sponsored the dinner. “The success and growth of this unique program is the direct result of individuals with a strong desire to make a positive difference in communities throughout St. Louis,” commented Major Trittler.   

(Photo Left) Detective Dan Jackson, St. Louis County Police Department, plays the bagpipes at the CIT Appreciation Dinner

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By Louis G. (Geno) Dorough, a retired police officer with 30 years of service for the St. Louis County Police Department. With 15 years of his career as lead negotiator in Tactical Operations Unit, he negotiated over 300 high-risk, barricaded hostage and suicidal individuals. Geno is an FBI-certified instructor in the area of Law Enforcement Hostage Negotiations. He is the author of Compliant Surrender: A Practical Guide to Law Enforcement Negotiation. Mr. Dorough operates Crisis Management Consulting, which provides training in communications to law enforcement and corporate employees. He can be contacted at 314-799-3204 or Geno1204@msn.com.

The Crisis Intervention Team training program, developed and organized by the St. Louis County Police Department and distinguished members of the mental health field, under the management of Major Robert Trittler, has expanded exponentially. This community-oriented program has sparked the interest, support and dedication of many professional Law Enforcement Departments within the St. Louis area. These departments and their officers have come to understand the importance of professionally and empathetically dealing with residents who have a mental illness. 

Under the guidelines of the CIT 40-hour, academy-based, Post-approved training, officers attend a session of Tactical Patrol Communications. The objective of this session is centered on understanding aggressive and violent behavior brought about by a state of crisis created by confusion, stress and the inability to resolve personal issues. This understanding allows officers to more effectively communicate, reducing the possibility of injury or death to officers and consumers. 

Tactical Communication training provides officers knowledge in recognizing, defusing and controlling aggressive behavior through crisis intervention techniques and therapeutic communications in conjunction with an understanding of attitudes, emotions and behavior. An officer must not only be aware of and understand the emotions, attitudes and behavior of the consumer, but also his/her own. Encapsulated in this training are topics of maturity, confidence, understanding protective barriers and proper use of active listening skills. 

The community, consumers and officers benefit through stronger community support, increased law enforcement effectiveness, reduction in physical and legal risk, as well as improved odds of safety and preservation of life. 

Key points to remember: 

·        The importance of non-verbal and verbal messages being congruent.

·        Types of emotional and physical barriers put in place by the consumer and what they represent.

·        Recognize, respect, reduce and then remove protective barriers so that compliance can be achieved.

·        Always be respectful, considerate, polite, cordial, sincere, objective and empathetic when interacting with the consumer.

·        Demonstrate the sound use of active listening skills.

·        Become a good listener and remember that individuals speak to be heard, to rationalize their behavior with the intention of influencing.

·        Proper use of active listening skills conveys empathy which is a main building block for establishing rapport. Sound rapport leads to influence, which then creates behavior modification and compliance.

·        Concentrate on defusing the high state of emotion and bringing the consumer closer to logical reasoning. 

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By Jim House, Executive Director, Mental Health Association of Greater St. Louis.   As this is being written, many budget items are still up in the air.

County Budgets 

In the November elections, the citizens of City of St. Louis approved a property tax to provide mental health services for children, and St. Charles County voters approved a sales tax for children’s mental health programs. 

Residents of St. Louis County are in a far less fortunate position. In late 2004, St. Louis County closed its mental health services for low-income residents. A new collaboration between several non-profit mental health agencies and St. Louis County will provide services for the 250 clients receiving services at the time of the closing. The contract runs from December 1, 2004 through March 31, 2005, when Phase II will take over. Details of the second phase are still being worked out. 

The outcome, of course, will impact the number and type of options available to persons with mental health needs and officers who are trying to assist them. 

State Budget 

Governor Holden asked all departments to submit needs-based budgets for next fiscal year. We applaud the Department of Mental Health for finally requesting a budget that could go a long way in meeting the service needs of people with mental illness. However, the state budget will not support these needs. We, as are all advocates, are waiting to review the cuts in the asking budget by our new Governor. 

The Mental Health Association does not believe the current fiscal health of the State of Missouri will allow for the alleviation of the chronic underfunding of mental health services. We estimate that services are underfunded by approximately $250 million. This means that people needing treatment will continue to go without until they come to the attention of law enforcement.

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When individuals feel threatened and overwhelmed by a personal safety or medical crisis, our 911 emergency assistance system can be an amazing and useful resource. It provides not only time-sensitive assistance, but the crucial link to trained professionals who can assist in managing the situation. In that same way, CenterPointe Hospital—a private, freestanding psychiatric facility specializing in behavioral health services—can be a lifesaving resource to those needing assistance for mental health or substance abuse problems. 

Whether responding to a call in a crisis situation or simply through routine encounters, police officers and other law enforcement professionals often may need to serve as that crucial link for those experiencing symptoms of a psychiatric disorder. And, like our “911” system, CenterPointe Hospital provides assistance and services 24 hours a day. 

Comprehensive Continuum of Care

CenterPointe Hospital is a locally owned and managed inpatient/outpatient treatment facility in St. Charles County. In addition to the main location, CenterPointe has outpatient satellite sites in south St. Louis County and Washington, Mo. CenterPointe also provides regional behavioral health professionals who conduct 24-hour mobile assessment and crisis intervention services throughout central and eastern Missouri, and southern Illinois. 

Unlike area hospitals that serve many medical specialty areas, and also offer behavioral health services, CenterPointe maximizes its experience and expertise in psychiatry and chemical dependency by limiting services to those specialties. “Our hospital’s strength is in providing effective patient care with an exclusive focus on behavioral health,” says Chairman of the Board Azfar Malik, MD, MBA. “…we can focus our energy, professional expertise and dedication to a single area of health care. That makes a difference,” he continues. 

The Hospital provides treatment for all ages with a continuum of care ranging from inpatient crisis stabilization or acute care for adult psychiatric patients to adult residential chemical dependency treatment, and outpatient child and adolescent services. The multi-disciplinary treatment teams include an admitting psychiatrist, licensed social workers, nurses, psychologists, activity therapists and dietary specialists. 

Services for adults include:

·         inpatient care

·         partial hospitalization

·         intensive outpatient program

·         residential chemical dependency treatment. 

Psychiatric services for children and adolescents include:

·         inpatient care

·         intensive outpatient program. 

Persons who need more information about CenterPointe’s behavioral health services or who need to schedule a free, 24-hour confidential assessment should call 636-441-7300 or toll free 800-345-5407. 

Learn More…

CenterPointe offers training on a variety of mental health and substance abuse topics for professionals in the medical, law enforcement, education and other fields. To schedule a training session, call 636-441-7300 or toll free 800-345-5407.

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By Capt. Robert E. Morrissey, who has been with the Overland Police Department for almost 31 years. He is currently the Director of Operations, responsible for Uniform Patrol, Criminal Investigations, Traffic Safety Unit and Community Services Unit. I anxiously await the next edition of Street Talk to see what’s new in the mental health field associated with law enforcement. I read the articles and say to myself, “I could have written that.”

I know exactly what they’re talking about, heck, I felt those same emotions numerous times in the last 31 years. I’ve felt anger, love, hate, sadness, happiness and all the other emotions that every cop feels, sometimes experiencing several in a very short period of time.   

I’ve seen families devastated by one irrational act. I’ve seen the same families pull together and become stronger because of it. I’ve knocked on front doors and watched mothers’ faces become distraught with anguish as I told them to “please sit down as I have some very bad news.”  I’ve seen the same mothers’ faces beaming with pride as their sons and daughters receive their DARE diplomas.

I’ve seen the small white crosses and pretty flowers on the side of the road where just a week earlier three teenagers were ejected from their car in a roll-over crash that I worked. I wonder why they didn’t listen when we talked to them at the high school assembly…reminding them to wear their seatbelts and not to drink and drive. 

I’ve seen the smiling faces of the shy child touring the station house when I gave him a junior police badge. I watched parents in total disbelief as I informed them that their child has been arrested. I watched as they cried and asked me for advice, did their child need a lawyer, was I sure it was their child who did the misdeed? 

I’ve seen a lot in 31 years and could tell some stories. I’ve also seen some good officers come and go because the stress of this job got to them. The stress of experiencing some of the things I’ve seen. Maybe they didn’t have an outlet for that stress. Maybe the outlet they did have was booze or some other self-destructive vice that cops seem to find. Maybe they didn’t have family or good friends to talk to. Maybe they just tried to keep it all inside and it just got to them… 

My advice after what I’ve seen in 31 years? Find a positive outlet for the pressure of this job. Find some outside activity that puts your mind on something else. Talk to your family, friends, other cops, a support group … people who will let you vent your frustrations. Holding it in only hurts and eventually you run out of room. 

Yeah, I could write one of those articles…but who the hell would read it?

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Open Mind is a column produced by the Mental Health Association, which appears weekly in many Suburban Journals.  Click here for the reprint above and access to the entire Open Mind Archive on this website.

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We have archived past issues of Street Talk on this website.  All back issues also include a Mental Health Directory and a link to a relevant Open Mind column.

October, 2004

• Living with Killing
• Current Issues: Important Ballot Issues
• Law In Action: July 2004 CIT Graduating Class
• CIT Corner: Update on CIT
• Street Tips:Encountering the Homeless
• At Your Service: Family Support Program
• Street Report: The Brotherhood
• Q&A: Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity
• Open Mind: Supporting a Friend with Mental Illness
• Street Talk Archives
• Mental Health Directory

July, 2004

• 2004 John J. McAtee Award Winners
• Q&A: Schizophrenia - What Officers need to Know
• In the Limelight: Officer Emily Mancuso
• ASIST Training
• Law In Action: March 2004 CIT Graduating Class
• Open Mind: Schizophrenia and the Brain
• Street Tips: Dealing with Mentally Ill or Suicidal People
• Tips from NAMI: Responding to a Mental Health Crisis
• Mental Health Directory

April, 2004

• 2004 John J. McAtee Award
• State Budget Cuts Affect Law Enforcement
• St. Patrick Center Programs
• Homeless People are Not All the Same
• Mental Health Directory
• Say YES to Homeless Youth
• Youth In Need Provides Services to Young People
• Roll Call
• P.O.S.T Approved Training
• Open Mind: Homelessness

January, 2004

• CIT: Safety, Understanding, and Service
• Street Tips: When Someone is "Acting Strangely."
• CIT: Training Makes it Happen
• Law in Action: Jail Diversion Program
• Do You Know? Obesity
• Q&A: Criteria for Involuntary Commitment
• At Your Service: Hawthorn Children's Psychiatric Hospital

October 2002

July 2002

April 2002

Following is a dated index of previous articles that have appeared in Street Talk.  To get a copy of any article or a previous issue, please call LaDonna Haley at 314-773-1399.

"It Worked for Me" (Officer Gorman)

Holiday blues vs. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

What should I know about Bipolar Disorder?

"When it finally hit home – part 1" (FBI agent Burt Jensen)

Public policy, mental health, your work

Liability issues for officers and departments

In the Limelight: Hazelwood PD

At Your Service: St. Patrick Center

I’d like you to know (helpful hints)

Dealing with frequent callers

"When it finally hit home – part 2" (FBI agent Burt Jensen)

Officer and Department of the year awards

At Your Service: Provident Counseling

Q&A: All about EAP’s

Know your mental health options

What does confidentiality really mean?

Rethinking our strategies (John Bozarth)

Anger management

Helping peers in distress

In the Limelight: Ballwin and Hazelwood PD’s

January 2002

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