A free crisis intervention course in Wasilla has 30 seats next month

A free five-day crisis intervention certification course runs Oct. 12 through 16 at the Wasilla Police Department, with 30 seats. Priority goes to law enforcement officers and first responders serving the Mat-Su Valley, along with anyone previously wait-listed.

The Alaska State Troopers' Mat-Su Crisis Intervention Team is putting it on. Instruction covers de-escalation, the mental health and addiction resources available in the Valley, and how to recognize someone in crisis. It carries 35 hours of continuing medical education.

Applications go through the interest form linked from the Alaska Police Standards Council training calendar. No deadline is posted, and those selected will be contacted by email.

Crisis intervention academies have run in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau and the Mat-Su since 2001. In 2024, the Mat-Su Behavioral Health Crisis System counted 3,751 crisis-related calls from Valley residents. Fewer than half of them, 1,673, went to Careline or 988.