Research
Explore our library of research products including academic publications, reports on research and outcomes, policy briefs, videos of webinars, animations, and more. Research products are organized by initiative and/or by type, with the most recent items at the top of the list. Search by topic with the search bar at the top of the page.
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July 2021Law enforcement and suicide calls for service: a mixed-methods study of suicide attempts and deathsThis mixed-methods study explores suicide events captured in law enforcement (LE) call reports. Data was collected from reports in a Midwestern metropolitan county wherein LE responded to suicide incidents. Descriptive and bivariate analyses of quantitative data were used to assess differences between incident type (i.e. attempts vs. deaths). Findings revealed that suicide decedents tended to be male, older and had at least one intrapersonal issue as a precipitating factor. Qualitative sections illuminated themes across suicide attempts including self-harm as an autonomy seeking strategy; challenging claims of suicidality; and promising not to self-harm. Increasing the sophistication of call report documentation procedures would allow communities to deepen their understanding of how suicide manifests.Crisis responsePublication -
April 2021Spring 2021 NewsletterAddressing the overdose epidemic by decriminalizing buprenorphine and reducing harm; New data dashboard gives Michiganders access to data in one place for the first time; CBHJ partners with jails to enable or enhance telehealth services to those with behavioral health disorders; S.I.M.P.L.E. Scorecard evaluates county-level behavioral health and justice collaborations; COVID-19 Community of Practice focuses on addressing behavioral health and COVID-19 in jail settings and beyond; and more.DiversionReentryTreatment ecosystemsHarm reductionCrisis responseOtherNewsletter
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March 2021Data Sharing Laws and Post-Overdose Response ProgramsIn this video, the CBHJ explains how current information sharing laws apply in these situations and allow EMS providers to make referrals to behavioral health providers or harm reduction agencies following an overdose incident. This is not legal advice and should be used for informational purposes only.Crisis responseVideo
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January 2021Individuals with mental illness who have multiple encounters with law enforcementThis study examines the impact of the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) model on criminal/legal encounters and mental health treatment engagement for individuals who have repeated encounters with law enforcement, comparing individuals with serious mental illness (SMI)-only to those with a co-occurring disorder. Law enforcement call reports, jail stays, and mental health treatment data were collected over three years from one Midwestern county where CIT was implemented. Cox regression hazard ratio results indicated the time to first mental health encounter after the implementation of CIT was quicker for those who were identified as having a co-occurring disorder. Jail diversion next steps are discussed.Crisis responsePublication
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October 2020Fall 2020 NewsletterCBHJ, School of Medicine and Wayne County develop toolkit of COVID-19 mitigation strategies for Michigan county jails; Post-overdose referrals to treatment to increase after EMS legal representation examines lawful cross-agency data sharing; Evaluation reports on Michigan Re-entry Project (MIREP) show positive outcomes among high-risk population; SAMHSA reduces barriers to new methadone patients in jail through crisis exceptions during the COVID-19 pandemic; and more.DiversionReentryTreatment ecosystemsCrisis responseOtherNewsletter
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September 2020Data Sharing Laws and PROACT ReferralsUsing personal identifying information (PII) for purposes of referral or program evaluation is allowable under CFR Part 2 within certain circumstances, but it generally entails a legal and administrative review. EMS agencies have data sharing agreements in place with local hospitals and health systems to share patient identifiable information (PII) to address emergency care, but they do not typically have such agreements in place with publicly funded harm reduction agencies or substance use disorder treatment partners.Crisis responsePresentation
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September 2020Proactive Response to Overdose and Appropriate Connections to Treatment (PROACT)Opioid-related overdose events often require an emergency first response to administer naloxone, and research suggests individuals who use illicit opioids are at high risk for a repeated non-fatal overdose and fatal overdose. An interface with a first responser presents an opportunity for a public health response; however, there is rarely an attempt to link these individuals into subsequent treatment or services, even when there is a suspected substance use disorder or opioid use disorder. The Center for Behavioral Health and Justice is helping to bridge the gap to treatment and other potential programs following a non-fatal overdose event by outlining, implementing, and evaluating community-based post-overdose programs.Crisis responsePresentation
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April 2019Enhancing knowledge of adolescent mental health among law enforcement: implementing youth focused Crisis Intervention Teams trainingThis study explores the feasibility, acceptability, fidelity and outcomes of a youth version of the Crisis Intervention Team training (CIT-Y). This intervention is designed to keep youth with a mental health problem out of the criminal/legal system by equipping police officers with developmentally appropriate information and techniques. This preliminary investigation used multiple methods (training observations, officer interviews and pre/post-tests) to assesses the implementation of CIT-Y in two Midwest counties. Outcomes from the pre/post-tests show that 86% of officers positively changed their knowledge and attitudes regarding youth with mental health problems. Recommendations for enhancing the curriculum and subsequent research are also discussed.Crisis responsePublication
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March 2019Mental health crisis location and police transportation decisions: The impact of Crisis Intervention Teams training on crisis center utilizationCrisis Intervention Team (CIT) research has shown increases in officer transports of individuals with serious mental illness to emergency departments (ED). While this is more appropriate than incarceration, it can be expensive and lack linkage to long-term mental health services. Mental health crisis centers offer a promising alternative but may be limited by proximal distance and lack of officer awareness. This study asks, “Does CIT training affect officer transport decisions to a crisis center over a nearby ED?” Crisis call reports were analyzed in a Midwestern county and found increased use of the crisis center and decreased use of EDs by officers after CIT was implemented.Crisis responsePublication
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November 2018Barriers and facilitators to implementing an urban co-responding police-mental health teamThis study examines barriers and facilitators of successfully implementing the Mobile Crisis Assistance Team model, a first-responder co-response team of police officers, mental health professionals and paramedics. Content analysis of team member qualitative focus groups and program stakeholder interviews expand previous findings by identifying additional professional cultural barriers and facilitators to program implementation while also exploring the role of clear, systematic policies and guidelines in program success. Findings demonstrate the value of both flexible and formal policies to help guide program implementation; ample community resources and treatment services to successfully refer clients to needed services; and streamlined communication among participating agencies and the local healthcare community.Crisis responsePublication
