Posted on Jul. 7, 2025 by Niki Nelson

As public safety evolves, so does the complexity of the calls officers face. In 2025, mental-health-related incidents have become one of the top safety concerns for law enforcement. The need for smarter, more empathetic training is clear, and VirTra is stepping in to fill the gap.

Co-Responder Teams Are Expanding

Across the U.S., police departments are partnering with mental-health professionals to form co-responder teams. In cities like Grandview, MO, and Lincoln, NE, these teams are reducing arrests, increasing follow-up care, and saving lives. “Since the program began in early March, co‑responders have responded to 23 calls for service, in which 15 people received assistance that did not require further emergency intervention…69% of those also received follow‑up support.”  – Amber Dirks, CenterPointe Program Manager.

But the success of co-response depends on training. Officers and clinicians must know to coordinate under pressure and de-escalate safely. Simulation training allows them to rehearse real-world scenarios—with room to make mistakes and learn from them.

Officer Wellness Is a Growing Priority

The public safety employees are also in crisis. In 2025 alone, dozens of first responders have died by suicide. Departments are responding with new wellness policies, peer-support programs, and grants, but training is key here too.

Simulation can be used for wellness drills, helping officers build habits around post-critical incident support and stress management. Just like tactical training, emotional readiness needs structure and repetition.

VirTra’s Role

At VirTra, we’re committed to helping agencies train for today’s realities. Our systems offer:

  • Realistic mental-health scenarios
  • De-escalation
  • Customizable content that adapts to your agency’s needs

We believe that good training isn’t just about control, it’s about compassion. And simulation helps bridge that gap.

Let’s Talk

Whether you’re expanding crisis response, building a co-responder team, or investing in officer wellness, simulation training can help prepare your people both emotionally and operationally.

👉 Schedule a demo
👉 Explore mental health scenarios
👉 Talk to our team about customized solutions

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