SAFETYLIT WEEKLY UPDATE

We compile citations and summaries of about 400 new articles every week.
RSS Feed

HELP: Tutorials | FAQ
CONTACT US: Contact info

Search Results

Journal Article

Citation

Kohrt BA, Blasingame E, Compton MT, Dakana SF, Dossen B, Lang F, Strode P, Cooper J. Am. J. Public Health 2015; 105(3): e73-80.

Affiliation

Brandon A. Kohrt is with the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC. Elise Blasingame is with The Carter Center Mental Health Program, Atlanta, GA. Michael T. Compton is with the Department of Psychiatry, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York, NY. Samuel F. Dakana is with the National Police Training Academy, Liberian National Police, Paynesville, Liberia. Benedict Dossen is with The Carter Center Mental Health Program, Monrovia, Liberia. Frank Lang is with the Moultrie Police Department, Moultrie, GA. Patricia Strode is with the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Georgia Affiliate, Atlanta. Janice Cooper is with The Carter Center Mental Health Program, Monrovia, Liberia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, American Public Health Association)

DOI

10.2105/AJPH.2014.302394

PMID

25602903

Abstract

OBJECTIVEs. We sought to develop a curriculum and collaboration model for law enforcement and mental health services in Liberia, West Africa.

METHODS. In 2013 we conducted key informant interviews with law enforcement officers, mental health clinicians, and mental health service users in Liberia, and facilitated a 3-day curriculum workshop.

RESULTS. Mental health service users reported prior violent interactions with officers. Officers and clinicians identified incarceration and lack of treatment of mental health service users as key problems, and they jointly drafted a curriculum based upon the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) model adapted for Liberia. Officers' mental health knowledge improved from 64% to 82% on workshop assessments (t = 5.52; P < .01). Clinicians' attitudes improved (t = 2.42; P = .03). Six months after the workshop, 69% of clinicians reported improved engagement with law enforcement. Since the Ebola outbreak, law enforcement and clinicians have collaboratively addressed diverse public health needs.

CONCLUSIONS. Collaborations between law enforcement and mental health clinicians can benefit multiple areas of public health, as demonstrated by partnerships to improve responses during the Ebola epidemic. Future research should evaluate training implementation and outcomes including stigma reduction, referrals, and use of force. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print January 20, 2015: e1-e8. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2014.302394).


Language: en

NEW SEARCH


All SafetyLit records are available for automatic download to Zotero & Mendeley
Print