Jennings County Sheriff's Office introduces new Crisis Intervention Team for mental health calls

NORTH VERNON, Ind. – The Jennings County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) debuted its new Crisis Intervention Team over social media on Tuesday, December 2.

The JCSO Crisis Intervention Team is a specialized group of deputies trained to respond to mental health crises, receiving training focused on de-escalation, mental health awareness, and effective communication skills.

According to JCSO, the training includes:

Recognizing signs of mental illness, substance use disorders, and developmental disabilities

De-escalation techniques that are designed to reduce tension and prevent the need for force

Effective communication strategies for highly emotional or unpredictable situations

Suicide prevention and intervention skills

Collaboration with local mental health providers and crisis resources