Police and rescue workers learn how to deal with mentally ill people

A disturbed man stood in front of a supermarket and spread religious rhetoric.

He ranted and raved, telling people not to go in. He had his hands buried in the pockets of his coat and refused to take them out.

The police had to intervene.

Mansfield Police Officer Eric Buchanan subdued the man and handcuffed him with the help of another officer.

Even though the scenario was not real, police officers and emergency responders can observe this situation every day when dealing with mentally ill people.

Friday’s scenario was one of more than a dozen skits at the Mansfield Playhouse in which actors portrayed the struggling people.

More:African American Mental Health and Wellness Symposium on June 19 in Mansfield

The graduating class was the 32nd in Richland County

The Richland County National Alliance on Mental Illness and the Richland County Mental Health & Recovery Services Board collaborated on the 32nd class of police and first responders.

CIT stands for Crisis Intervention Team and refers to a collaboration between law enforcement and the mental health community to help officers deal with incidents involving people suffering from mental illness.

The program focuses on the need for advanced training and specialization of first responders, immediate crisis response to those with mental illness, emphasis on officer safety, and referring people in crisis situations for appropriate mental health treatment rather than incarceration.

In the scenario mentioned above, Playhouse actor Carl Hunnell played the man outside the store. He was loud and vulgar and posed a real challenge for Buchanan and Ontario police officer Kailey Costello.

After each scenario, Mansfield Police Sergeant Nicole Gearhart and Aubrie Hall, executive director of NAMI Richland County, offered critical comments.

Gearhart agreed with Buchanan’s decision to tackle Hunnell.

“He had a lot on his plate. He could have used the cross as a weapon,” she said.

Before the morning session, Doug Wertz, artistic director of the Playhouse, gave a speech to the class.

“It’s a very rewarding thing, that’s why we devote our time to it,” he said. “We want to make it as real as possible. Occasionally it gets heated. Be careful, there is language.”

Officials and first responders receive feedback

Hall also gave a speech to the participants.

“Our goal is to learn and grow, but also to give recognition when you do something right,” she said.

In one sketch, actress Hannah Oberlin played a flirtatious woman who hits on Deputy Sheriff John Turnure and Buchanan.

Officers responded to a threatening phone call involving the woman and her neighbor.

While Turnure and Buchanan tried to get information from Oberlin, she began to remove some of her clothing. Officers carefully guided her to a chair, making sure she did not harm her neighbor.

“I don’t think you need to stay long enough to lay a hand on her once you’ve determined she’s not a danger to herself,” Gearhart said after the skit.

Hall added: “This is probably my favorite sketch because it embarrasses the officers.”

Developed in the late 1980s, CIT was based on the work of NAMI family lawyers and a community task force comprised of law enforcement officials, mental health and addiction professionals, and consumer advocates.

An intensive 40-hour training curriculum focuses on scenarios based on actual incidents. Additional parts of the training include individual diagnosis, medications, de-escalation, court procedures, and perspectives of consumers with mental illness and their family members.

Richland County has trained more than 640 police officers and first responders since 2004.

Two of the current course participants were New London Police Officer Taylor Ingraham and Larry Kincaid, a security officer for Avita Health System.

Everyone said the training was useful.

“It’s real, so it’s not just a visual education,” Ingraham said. “The biggest benefit is that everything is applicable. When you go back to work, you get tools in your toolbox.”

Ingraham said she also learned of services available in Richland County but not in Huron County, where she works.

Kincaid said he often deals with difficult people.

“We often encounter such situations in our work at the hospital,” he said.

Kincaid said the training showed him that it was possible to work with people with mental health issues.

“You want to understand a little better what they’re going through,” he said. “Any of us could be there. We want to be treated with compassion.”

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