NAMI Wisconsin

When emotions are high, it can be difficult to remember coping skills, who to call, or what to do next. A safety plan puts those important reminders in one place so you don't have to figure everything out during a crisis. Take 5 minutes today to create yours: www.samhsa.gov/resource/988/safety-plan

Congratulations to our award recipients at the 2026 CIT Symposium! We are proud to recognize outstanding individuals who exemplify dedication, leadership, and commitment to improving crisis response across Wisconsin:

🏆 Officer of the Year: Officer Joshua Peterson, City of Neenah Police Department
🏆 CIT Trailblazer: Deputy Nicholas Spanzke, Marquette County Sheriff's Department
🏆 CIT Legacy of Service: Mary Madden, NAMI Southeast Wisconsin
🏆 Co-Responder of the Year: Chuck Kerstell, North Central Health Care

Thank you for your service, partnership, and unwavering commitment to supporting individuals in crisis. Your work makes a lasting impact in communities across our state. 💙

Yesterday was the final day of the CIT Symposium, where co-responder teams from across Wisconsin came together to connect, learn, and strengthen crisis response in their communities.

From behavioral threat assessment and school-based interventions to information sharing, elder services, and preventing burnout, the 2026 Co-Responder Summit provided an opportunity to exchange ideas, build relationships, and explore innovative approaches to supporting people experiencing mental health crises.

125 law enforcement officers, mental health professionals, advocates, and community partners from across Wisconsin came together yesterday for the CIT Summit to learn, connect, and strengthen crisis response efforts in their communities.

Attendees heard an incredible presentation from Dr. John Battaglia on anosognosia and its impact on serious mental illness, participated in breakout sessions covering topics such as high utilizers of 911, working with non-English-speaking communities, hoarding, and understanding Chapter 51 vs. Chapter 55, and spent time networking with CIT partners from across the state.

Thank you to everyone who attended, presented, and shared their expertise. Together, we're building stronger partnerships and advancing compassionate, effective responses to mental health crises throughout Wisconsin.