The primary goal of CIT is to refer persons with mental illness in crisis to what?

The primary goal of Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT) is to connect individuals experiencing a mental health crisis with appropriate health care services. This approach is designed to ensure that individuals receive the specialized care they need rather than being routed through the traditional criminal justice system, which may not be equipped to handle mental health issues effectively.

By referring persons in crisis to health care services, CIT addresses the specific needs of individuals with mental illness, facilitating access to mental health professionals, treatment options, and support systems that can aid in their recovery. Such services often include immediate psychiatric evaluation, therapy, and case management, which are crucial for addressing underlying mental health issues.

This proactive strategy promotes de-escalation, provides a pathway to treatment, and ultimately aims to improve outcomes for individuals in crisis by providing them with the right resources and care.