Course Summary
First responders, including EMS (Emergency Medical Services), law enforcement, firefighters, and crisis hotline personnel, are often the first to encounter individuals in behavioral health crises. In these moments, behaviors like agitation, confusion, or withdrawal may be misread, resulting in unnecessary use of force, incarceration, or hospitalization.
This course introduces and expands on core de-escalation skills, offering relational engagement techniques to help you assess situations in real time, reduce harm, and guide individuals toward appropriate care. Whether you're new to de-escalation or looking to deepen your approach, you'll learn to read behavioral cues, make informed decisions, and use connection as a path to meaningful support.
Through real-world scenarios and development of strategies for building local resource networks, this training strengthens your ability to divert individuals away from the criminal justice system or the ER (emergency room) and into services that support long-term stability.
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Identify the appropriate course of action based on the situation.
- Connect individuals with appropriate care options.
- Collaborate and build effective partnerships with community organizations.
Learning Audience
The learners for this training include EMS personnel, law enforcement officers, firefighters, crisis hotline staff, and other professionals who support individuals experiencing behavioral emergencies.
Course Duration
