On Tuesday, Clayton Police K-9 Officer Robert Moyer presented an electric guitar and amplifier to Johnston County Industry’s Behavioral Health Services clients.
“I recently completed CIT (Crisis Intervention Training) and when our class visited JCI, one of the clients played the guitar for us. I asked if they had an amplifier for the guitar and was told it was missing. This prompted me to take up a donation to purchase this electric guitar, amp, and other components in hopes to use with your music therapy,” Officer Moyer said.
Donations for the guitar were collected from CIT class participants, members of the Clayton, Selma and Smithfield Police Departments, and the Johnston County Emergency Services. Even after the purchase of the guitar, the collection had a balance of $35.00 that was also donated to JCI.
Andy Jernigan, Administrative Sergeant with the Clayton Police Department also donated a keyboard to JCI to further music therapy and stated, “I hope it helps them while they’re in the program. We were delighted to be a part of this.”
Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training is an effective law enforcement training and response program designed for first responders who handle crisis calls involving people with mental illness, intellectual disabilities, and those with alcohol or substance abuse disorders. The 14th Johnston County Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training Academy graduated eleven participants in July.
During the training, CIT class participants visited JCI’s Behavioral Health Services location in Selma. The psychosocial rehabilitation program serves persons with chronic mental illness. The overall goal of the program is to ensure that members have a place that provides structure and support to maintain a quality lifestyle and independent functioning.
The class members were able to see firsthand how JCI’s Behavioral Health Services participants are learning to understand and cope with their situations. The members work to improve their lifestyle. A few of the activities and classes these members participate in include but are not limited to: Art/Music Therapy, Recovery methods, social skills development, understanding medication, volunteer activities, and kitchen, food and nutrition.
JCI officials said they truly appreciated the thoughtfulness of local law enforcement agencies, not only for the donations but also for participating in the Crisis Intervention Team training which provides strategies to assist in directing individuals with mental illness to the appropriate healthcare systems to reduce their involvement in the criminal justice system.
