When mental health and criminal justice systems intersect, what happens to those caught in the middle? Dr. Em Ribnik, Director of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Center of Excellence at Neomed, takes us deep into this complex terrain where vulnerable individuals often find themselves navigating confusing and sometimes contradictory systems.
Drawing from over 15 years of experience in mental health and crisis services, Dr. Em shares powerful insights about how cross-system collaboration can transform outcomes for people experiencing mental health crises. She explains how Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) programs equip law enforcement with essential skills for de-escalation and appropriate response, creating pathways to treatment rather than incarceration for many individuals.
The conversation takes a profound turn as Dr. Em discusses her dissertation research on the impact of client suicide on counselor supervisors. "That person's decision does not negate all of the incredible work you did with them," she emphasizes—a message rarely shared with clinicians experiencing this traumatic loss. She reveals the staggering workforce impact, with nearly one-third of clinicians considering leaving clinical work and even the mental health field after a client suicide, and offers practical guidance for creating supportive supervision and organizational responses.
College mental health emerges as another critical focus, with Dr. Em highlighting how this developmental period coincides with the emergence of serious mental health conditions. "It's a unique, very condensed experience that you will never have the rest of your life," she explains, detailing the biological, social, and academic pressures that create perfect storms for many young adults.
Throughout, Dr. Em weaves personal experiences with professional wisdom, challenging us to break the silence around suicide through responsible, healing conversations. Her passionate call to inspire new professionals to join the mental health field despite its challenges reminds us why this work matters: behind every statistic stands a human being deserving compassionate, informed care.
Listen now to gain insights that could transform how you think about mental health crisis response, professional resilience, and the power of cross-system collaboration to save lives.
Guest Contact Information:
Emily “Em” Ribnik, Ph.D., LPCC-S
Director, Criminal Justice Coordinating Center of Excellence
330-325-6861 or eribnik@neomed.edu
Training, CE and Certification Coordinator
Light After Loss
training@lightafterlossstark.org
OCA Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/ohiocounseling
Stay in touch and join the conversation:
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If you’re a counselor in Ohio and would like to get involved as part of production or as a guest, or know someone who might be interested, please email us at ohiocounselingconversations@gmail.com!
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Created by the OCA's Media, Public Relations, and Membership (MPRM) Committee & its Podcast Subcommittee
·Hosted by Marisa Cargill
·Pre-Production & Coordination by Marisa Cargill and Victoria Frazier
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