What is CIT?

CIT (Crisis Intervention Team) programs are local initiatives designed to improve the way law enforcement and the community respond to people experiencing mental health crises. They are built on strong partnerships between law enforcement, mental health provider agencies and individuals and families affected by mental illness.

Click here to read more about the NAMI CIT Center 

News

A Son in the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital: An Interview with Jayette Lansbury

Jayette Lansbury's son pled insanity to a crime and has been in a secure psychiatric hospital for fifteen years, longer than the prison term he would have served if convicted. Read More »

After an Arrest: Understanding the Courts

A Q&A interview with Dr. Catherine Cerulli. Learn what to expect if you or a loved one needs to appear in court. Read More »

Mental Health on the Bench:

Empowering Judges to Change the Way the Criminal Justice System Responds to Mental Illness and Substance Abuse. Read More »

Read more articles from CIT in Action

Voices of CIT

Learn about CIT from the source: officers, individuals and families affected by CIT.

A Cop’s Story of Courage and Hope

Retired police officer Eric Weaver battled PTSD, suicide and other mental illnesses. He says, “Officers are only people. People that are asked to do a very tough job, but people nonetheless.”

Ask a Cop: CIT Changes the Way Law Enforcement Respond in a Crisis

Our contributors answer the questions: Why did you get involved in CIT? What’s makes a CIT officer’s response different in a crisis?

Ask A Cop: Avoiding Arrest During a Mental Health Crisis

Ask a Cop is a new column produced by NAMI’s CIT Center, answering common questions about law enforcement and mental health issues.

Read more voices of CIT

Implementing CIT in Your Community

Getting Started

What you need to know about CIT and getting a program started in your community. Including guides, toolkits and FAQs. 

CIT for
Youth

A comprehensive guide to implementing CIT for Youth provides detailed information, worksheets and templates for local communities.

Find a Program

The University of Memphis CIT Center's national directory can help you find a CIT program with their State and County program map.

Partner Organizations

University of Memphis CIT Center 

The International Association of Chiefs of Police

CIT International

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