What is the primary focus of POST training regarding mental health crises?

The primary focus of POST training regarding mental health crises is on crisis intervention and support techniques. This approach emphasizes the importance of understanding mental health issues and the appropriate responses to support individuals experiencing a crisis. The goal is to equip officers with strategies to effectively manage these situations while minimizing the risk of escalation and ensuring the safety of everyone involved, including the individual in crisis.

Successful crisis intervention relies on communication skills, empathy, and techniques aimed at stabilizing the situation. By focusing on support techniques, officers are trained to assess the needs of individuals in distress and facilitate access to appropriate mental health resources, rather than resorting to force or other more punitive measures.

This focus helps to address the complexities involved in mental health crises, which often require more nuanced understanding and interactions than standard law enforcement responses would provide.