Addressing the Mental Health Needs of 9-1-1

Wednesday, August 10, 2022

8:30 AM – 9:30 AM

Location: Anaheim Convention Center, 303 A-B

CE: 1 CEU

Main Presenter(s)

Kimble L. Richardson, M.S., LMHC, LCSW, LMFT, LCAC

Manager, Business Development and Referrals
Community Health Network
Indianapolis, Indiana

Co-Presenter(s)

Kari A. Key, ENP

Training and Quality Assurance Officer
Hamilton County Public Safety Communications
Noblesville, Indiana
SH

Shalina Harrington

Hamilton County Public Safety Communications

Presentation Description: Mental health has always been important, but not always recognized as essential to overall health in 911 dispatchers. The worldwide pandemic, social unrest, social determinants of health, and other factors have made emotional fitness a priority. And management, supervisors, quality assurance, and trainers are equally important as call takers. Since 2015, Hamilton County (Indiana) Public Safety Communications started the state's first peer support team specifically for 911 professionals. Learn how a school shooting followed by the untimely death of two employees solidified the team's approach to staying healthy and in service prior to, during, and following a critical incident.

Learning Objectives:

Understand why mental health is so important, not only for line level dispatchers, but also for training, quality assurance, supervisors, and management staff.
Assess real world critical incidents and discuss lessons learned.
Identify various resources, tools, and techniques your agency can implement to improve resiliency and mental health.