New Virtual Crisis Intervention Training Showcased
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 8, 2022
The Lake County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board
David Schick
Director of Communications
Office: 440-350-2193
Lake County, OH: The Lake County ADAMHS Board and Crossroads Health have partnered in the implementation of the SURVIVR Virtual Reality Training Simulator that provides experience in de-escalation and person-in-crisis response to a variety of mental health, substance-use and active-shooter scenarios. This equipment and program will be offered to crisis clinicians and first-responders to support their current Crisis Intervention Trainings (CIT) in Lake County. The Chief’s Association and media attended the event at Crossroads Health in Mentor on Wednesday, December 7th. Multiple municipalities were in attendance including Painesville City, Willoughby and Mentor to review and test the system first-hand.
Crossroads Health has provided CIT Training to local law enforcement for a long time but this joint collaboration came from Crossroads Health’s desire to evolve and innovate CIT Training with technology. The goal was to diversify the learning experience of clinicians and first-responders and enhance their existing classroom and in-service training methods. “In-service scenario-based training is an outstanding training method but because of costs and scheduling constraints associated with this training it can be prohibitive to smaller agencies and larger agencies as well,” said Joe Parkin, First Responder Liaison at Crossroads Health. In-service training provides hands-on experience and development but is typically only offered once annually due to the enormous time and resources required to perform them. Virtual reality scenarios will use far less resources while the teams still gain valuable experience. Plus, the mental health focus is new to this area and will continue to strengthen the relationship of first-responders when engaging with community members.
“The Lake County ADAMHS Board is continually making efforts to adapt to the evolving needs of all areas of the community. Clinicians and first-responders are our partners in addressing the needs of individuals with mental illness and substance-use disorders. We purchased this program and equipment as a way to improve their recognition of people experiencing behavioral health crises. Greater awareness leads to greater safety for both the individuals in crisis and our first responders,” said Kim Fraser, Executive Director of the Lake County ADAMHS Board.
Law enforcement has seen a rise in call volume as related to crisis and mental health issues along with substance-use and homelessness. In response, Crossroads Health and the Lake County ADAMHS Board have made available the virtual reality training available to assist first-responders in receiving more training in relation to de-escalation, use of force, fluid call response and developing more emphatic responses.
About the Lake County ADAMHS Board
The Lake County ADAMHS Board plans, funds, monitors, and evaluates services available to residents who are dealing with mental illness and or substance-use disorders. For more information, please visit www.HelpThatWorks.us
About Crossroads Health
Crossroads Health is a trauma-informed, evidence and community-based non-profit behavioral & primary health care center dedicated to providing a comprehensive continuum of services to children, adolescents, young people, adults and seniors throughout all stages of life. Crossroads Health offers specialized services and programs including early childhood services, day treatment, school and community-based services, therapeutic foster care, intensive services, substance use disorder program, psychiatry, dual diagnosis program, supportive employment services, forensic services, prevention, outpatient counseling, medication management, case management, care coordination, hotline and crisis intervention. Crossroads Health provides direct service to clients from infancy through adulthood—and their families—from two locations in Mentor, in addition to locations in Willoughby, Painesville, and the Lake County Adult and Juvenile Detention Facilities. Professional and licensed staff including social workers, counselors, educators, prescribers, doctors and nurses offer individual treatment plans, education, and outreach programs in the schools as well as in the community. Crossroads Health’s philosophy emphasizes an integrated approach to physical and behavioral health while getting to the root cause of behavioral health problems to ensure a more positive and productive life. Crossroads Health is client-centered, values-driven, and mission-based for the betterment of clients and community.
For more information, visit:
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Any photo attached is owned by Lake ADAMHS Board and can be used per their permission.