NAMI Indiana offers several continuing education programs for criminal justice professionals focusing on severe mental illness diagnoses and treatment and tangible skills training in communication, conflict resolution, crisis management, and de-escalation techniques. These trainings are targeted toward people who work in the criminal justice field: law enforcement, corrections, probation, parole, community corrections, judges, prosecutors, public defenders, defense attorneys, social workers and more. The following are trainings your team or agency may be interested in:
NAMI Sharing Your Story with Law Enforcement: This presentation offers law enforcement officers a unique opportunity to hear directly from an individual who has experienced a mental health crisis and interactions with law enforcement during that time. The speaker shares their personal journey—from crisis to recovery—highlighting the challenges faced, the impact of those encounters, and the road to living well with mental illness today.
By providing a firsthand perspective, this session fosters greater empathy, understanding, and insight into the realities behind the situations officers often encounter. It encourages more compassionate and informed responses that support positive outcomes for people experiencing mental health crises.
Annual NAMI Indiana Mental Health & Criminal Justice Summit: Each year, NAMI Indiana brings together a diverse group of leaders and professionals from the criminal justice and mental health fields for our Mental Health and Criminal Justice Summit. This event offers in-depth education, innovative tools, and valuable networking opportunities designed to foster collaboration and build bridges between systems. The Summit serves as a powerful catalyst for meaningful partnerships and inspires a call to action for substantial, systemic change.
The Summit is also an excellent opportunity for continuing education, as all registered attendees receive access to continuing education credits (CEUs) at no additional cost. These CEUs provide professionals with valuable credentials to enhance their skills and advance their careers while engaging with the latest knowledge and best practices in the intersection of mental health and criminal justice.
Mental Illness 101: This training provides law enforcement professionals with a foundational understanding of mental illness. Led by a trained NAMI Indiana staff member, the presentation offers an overview of common mental health conditions—such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, and anxiety disorders—and outlines key signs and symptoms to recognize in the field. Designed to promote empathy and awareness, the training emphasizes the realities of serious mental illness and the impact of stigma. Participants will leave better equipped to respond with understanding and support when encountering individuals experiencing mental health challenges.
NAMI 101: Interested in learning how NAMI Indiana can support you or your organization? Our staff would love to share more about our mission, the NAMI model, and how we work to improve the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness across the state. Discover the range of NAMI signature programs available in Indiana—from support groups and education classes to presentations and advocacy efforts—as well as the network of local NAMI affiliates working in communities statewide.
QPR: QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer—three simple, yet powerful steps anyone can learn to help prevent suicide. As first responders often encountering individuals in crisis, officers play a critical role in suicide prevention. QPR empowers them to respond with skill, compassion, and confidence—helping save lives and support those in need. This evidence-based training equips officers with practical tools to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis, confidently engage with someone in distress, and connect them to appropriate help.
If you would like more information about these trainings or to schedule a training for your department, agency, organization, or group (minimum of 10 attendees required), please contact info@namiindiana.org.