Crisis Intervention Team

People often don’t know where to turn when dealing with a loved one who has a mental illness. The Gloucester Township Police Department (GTPD) proudly supports the New Jersey Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) model and training to be responsive to individuals with mental illness and their families.

When in Crisis Please Consider the Following Tips With Police Officers:

1. When calling for police assistance, ask for a CIT officer.  A large majority of GTPD officers are CIT trained and can be recognized by them wearing a CIT pin on their uniform pocket.
2. When the officer arrives, advise them if the person is armed or has access to weapons.
3. Offer the officer a current list of medications and doctors’ names when he/she arrives.
4. Meet the officer outside if possible to fully explain the crisis and what you would like to happen.
5. Make the CIT officer(s) aware of anything you know that upsets the person in crisis.
6. Be prepared to go to the hospital — but remember all CIT calls do not necessarily mean a trip to the hospital.
7. Let your family member know the police are there to help.

*Remember, when weapons are involved, police concentrate on the possible threat of violence first until the area and all persons are safe.

*Understand, the CIT officer(s) will probably ask you to wait in an area away from the person in a crisis. Let the officer do his job and only offer assistance if asked.

Are you feeling overwhelmed or stressed?

Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, Oaks Integrated Care in Camden County provides emergency evaluation and intervention services through their Crisis Stabilization Services. These services are often the first step in the journey, as staff evaluates psychiatric symptoms and refers additional services.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis, please call their confidential point of entry: (856) 428-4357 (HELP).

IMPORTANT – if at any time you are at imminent risk of harm, please call 911 immediately.

Location:
2051 Springdale Road
Cherry Hill, NJ 08003

Contact:
Camden County: 856-254-3800
Cumberland County: 856-537-2310
For after-hours emergencies call 856-428-HELP or 911.

Hours:
Walk-in appointments only Monday- Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Additional Resources:

According to the National Institute of Mental Health one in every four Americans suffer from some type of mental illness, ranging from panic disorders to depression. Nearly 14 million live with a serious mental illness, such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and severe depression.People often don’t know where to turn when dealing with a loved one who has a serious mental illness. Below are resources that can help you to link to services and supports.

• Mental Health Association in New Jersey http://www.njmentalhealthcares.org  866-202-4357
  New Jersey’s behavioral health information and referral service staffed by behavioral care specialist who use their experience and understanding of behavioral health system to connect people to the information and services they need.
• NJ Connect for Recovery http://www.njconnectforrecovery.org 855-652-3737 The only call line in New Jersey dedicated to providing counseling specifically to individuals and families who are coping with addiction to heroin and prescription painkillers.
• The National Alliance on Mental IllnessThe National Alliance on Mental Illness (www.nami.org) provides a program geared toward healthy living strategies and skill-building resources for adults. The course is free, confidential and led by trained individuals in recovery from mental illness. The organization also facilitates a discussion group called Teen Consumers, which provides a healthy environment for teenagers to discuss their diagnoses and treatments. The National Alliance on Mental Illness also offers support groups for parents of teens with mental illness. The nonprofit’s website provides a state-by-state directory of local support groups. It has a hotline for general information, referrals and support: 800-950-6264. Its hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ETD weekdays.
• The American Foundation for Suicide PreventionThe American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (www.afsp.org) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing together people and communities to “understand and prevent suicide, and to help heal the pain it causes.” Those in crisis can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 to talk to a counselor.
• NJ Department of Human Services’ Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services https://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/dmhas/home/ The Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) serves as the Single State Agency (SSA) for Substance Abuse and the State Mental Health Authority (SMHA) as designated by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The Division oversees New Jersey’s adult system of community-based behavioral health services.
• Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing videophone helpline
  973-870-0677 Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• New Jersey Hopeline
  1-855-NJ-HOPELINE (654-6735) available 24/7
  Text njhopeline@ubhc.rutgers.edu