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Perceptions & Attitudes on Behavioral Health & Disabilities


Purpose

This module provides the opportunity for participants to consider common perceptions and attitudes related to people with behavioral health conditions (including mental health and substance use disorders) and disabilities and consider how those perceptions and attitudes may impact their interactions with these individuals. It presents information on the development of perceptions and attitudes and how they might be changed. It also introduces the topic of disability and highlights core values for officers to consider in their responses to people who experience a crisis in the community. In sum, the purpose of this module is to encourage participants to think about the diverse communities they respond to and interact with and emphasize the need for an open, understanding mind to best support these communities through crisis response.


Instructor

This module should be co-taught by a sworn law enforcement officer, mental health lead and/or disability lead, especially those with lived experience. The instructors need to have knowledge of this subject matter, the role of bias in human behavior, and have experience with crisis response. They should be a seasoned trainer, have a sound understanding of the community, and understand law enforcement culture. The instructors must be skilled at engagement with law enforcement participants.


Time 70 minutes


Learning Objectives

Upon completing this module, participants should be able to: ​

  1. Discuss commonly held beliefs that people may have toward people with behavioral health conditions and developmental disabilities;

  2. Explain where perceptions and attitudes come from and how they can perpetuate stigma and discrimination;

  3. Explain how to adapt perceptions and attitudes to promote effective crisis response; and

  4. Describe SAMHSA’s Recovery Values and the Developmental Disability Community’s Values and Culture.


Materials


Trainer’s Guide

2. Perceptions and Attitudes on BH and Disabilities
.pdf
Download PDF • 1.55MB

PowerPoint Presentation

2. Perceptions and Attitudes on Behavioral Health and Disabilities
.pptx
Download PPTX • 10.88MB



Prioritizing Officer Mental Health, Wellness, & Resilience


Purpose

This module discusses topics related to officer mental health and wellness and provides training participants with strategies to support mental wellbeing throughout their career.


Instructor

This module should be taught by an officer with lived experience in overcoming challenges related to officer mental health and wellness. This could be an officer who is a peer or in a leadership role, depending on if the leader has demonstrated interest and guidance in this topic area or if it’s preferred to have this content delivered by a fellow officer. If possible, it is recommended to invite a representative from an agency wellness program or a licensed mental health practitioner with expertise in police officer mental wellness, as a co-instructor.

If an agency has a police officer peer support program, invite a representative to speak at the conclusion of the module and review available services and resources. This will reinforce strategies and services to overcoming challenges.


Time 50 minutes


Learning Objectives

Upon completing this module, participants should be able to: ​

  1. Describe how stress manifests itself in the body and how it displays in oneself and peers;

  2. Identify risk factors and recognize warning signs of officer suicide;

  3. Identify and use strategies for building officer resilience; and

  4. Access available officer mental health and wellness resources.


Materials


Trainer’s Guide

3. Prioritizing Officer MH Wellness and Resilience
.pdf
Download PDF • 1.86MB

PowerPoint Presentation

3. Prioritizing Officer MH Wellness and Resilience
.pptx
Download PPTX • 20.01MB


Additional Resources


Understanding Mental Health Conditions & Mental Illnesses


Purpose

This module introduces participants to information on mental health conditions and mental illnesses and increases participants’ understanding of mood disorders, psychotic disorders, and anxiety disorders, as well as their signs and symptoms. Mental health disorders specific to children and youth and their associated symptoms and behaviors are also presented in this module. The role of medication in the treatment of people living with mental illnesses is discussed.


Instructor

This module should be taught by a mental health subject matter expert from your community, with the presence of law enforcement as a co-trainer. If questions arise that should be answered by law enforcement, particularly questions on how the information presented relates to law enforcement roles and responsibilities in your community, it will be important that a law enforcement co-trainer is there. For the section focused on children and youth, it is helpful to have a trainer with expertise in this area to be present.


Time 160 minutes


Learning Objectives

Upon completing this module, participants should be able to: ​

  1. Define mood disorders, psychotic disorders, and anxiety disorders in adults, and impulse control and disruptive disorders in children and youth;

  2. Describe some signs, symptoms, and behaviors you may see in people living with the above disorders;

  3. Identify some strategies to use when responding to a person living with these disorders; and

  4. Describe the role of medication in the treatment of mental illnesses and medication-related considerations for law enforcement.


Materials


Trainer’s Guide

4. Understanding Mental Health Conditions and Mental Illnesses
.pdf
Download PDF • 2.47MB

PowerPoint Presentation

4. Understanding Mental Health Conditions and Mental Illnesses
.pptx
Download PPTX • 8.26MB


Handouts

4. Understanding MH and MI_Hearing Voices Drawing Activity
.pdf
Download PDF • 156KB

4. Understanding MH and MI_Mental Health Crisis Case Scenarios
.pdf
Download PDF • 201KB


Additional Resources

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