Alternatives to Calling the Police During Mental Health Crises

Published: November 5, 2018

The UIC Mental Health and Disability Alliance and the AHS Student Council are excited to sponsor a free workshop for UIC students, faculty, staff and community partners:

Alternatives to Calling the Police During Mental Health CrisesSaturday November 10, 2018
11am-2pm in AHSB 313

[1919 W Taylor St, Department of Occupational Therapy, Room 313]

If you are interested in attending you can RSVP to reserve your spot, space is limited. Please share with your students, friends and community members! A description of the workshop is below.

UIC Mental Health and Disability Alliance

UIC ACP Workshop

Please join Alternatives to Calling the Police During Mental Health Crises (ACP) for a disability-informed conversation on community responding during mental health crises. The workshop considers the implications of the criminalization of mental illness and explores community alternatives for support. The main focus is de-escalation practices and supportive responding during crises. More specifically, it discusses the impact of police involvement and what happens when folks (particularly people of color) become involved with the police as a result of mental health crises. It seeks to train participants in reflective listening/responding and de-escalation techniques, and brainstorms alternatives to responding in times of crises. It is a participatory skills-based workshop and conversation.

It would be an excellent training for students going into mental health and community service fields, as well as those interested in social justice, racial and social politics, activism, and systems change.

Keywords: Community Partner, Mental health, Police, solutions, UIC