Hershey, Pa.-based Penn State Health has expanded a mental health crisis training program for law enforcement.
Developed in partnership with the Pennsylvania State Police Academy, the “Keystone Model of Crisis Management” workshop teaches cadets how to de-escalate behavioral health emergencies, according to an Oct. 14 release from Penn State. The program includes classroom sessions and live simulations using standardized patients to portray people experiencing conditions including psychosis and bipolar disorder.
Educators from Penn State Health, the Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute and Penn State College of Medicine lead the training, which has also been adopted at four Commonwealth campuses. It is open to municipal police, students and community members.
Police cadets reported greater confidence in managing mental health crises after completing the program, according to the report.
