Mecklenburg County Crisis Intervention Team Receives State Mental Health Awards

Three NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) State Award Winners holding their award plaques.

Several members from the Mecklenburg County Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) recently received awards from NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) North Carolina at their first CIT Stars 2024 Awards Luncheon.  

The Crisis Intervention Team is a community-based program that brings together law enforcement, first responders, mental health professionals, mental health advocates, and other partners to better respond to mental health crises in the community.

Four local members from the Mecklenburg County Crisis Intervention Team were honored by NAMI North Carolina for their outstanding work:

  • CIT First Responder of the Year – Kyle Shank, Charlotte Fire Department
  • CIT Volunteer of the Year – Joyce Engelmann, NAMI Charlotte
  • CIT Mental Health Advocate of the Year – Allison Pastirik, Legacy Bridge Counseling & Consulting
  • CIT Champion of the Year – Dr. Stephen Strzelecki, Mecklenburg County Criminal Justice Services

“We are proud of the 2024 Crisis Intervention Team award recipients for their commitment to promoting and protecting mental health and safety in our community,” said Dr. Raynard Washington, Public Health director. “This innovative team continues to set the example, locally and across the state, of collaboration and dedication to better respond to mental health crises.”