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What is individual crisis intervention?

Kirsten Peremore December 12, 2023

Patient engagement

Crisis intervention is a short-term process that provides immediate support to individuals facing a crisis or emergency. It aims to stabilize their emotional state, reduce the intensity of their response, and help them regain control and functionality.

Types of crises

Crisis intervention is typically used in situations of significant stress, emotional upheaval, or trauma. These can include:

Natural disasters: Earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, and other natural disasters often lead to immediate and severe distress for those affected. Crisis intervention in these scenarios focuses on addressing immediate safety needs, providing psychological first aid, and helping individuals cope with the loss and disruption caused by the disaster.
Personal trauma: This includes events like the sudden death of a loved one, serious accidents, or being a victim of a crime. Crisis intervention here aims to provide emotional support, assist in processing the event, and develop coping strategies to deal with the trauma.
Mental health crises: This encompasses situations like suicidal ideation, severe anxiety attacks, or psychotic episodes. In these cases, crisis intervention focuses on ensuring the individual's safety, stabilizing their immediate mental health condition, and facilitating follow-up care or therapy.
Violence and abuse: Instances of domestic violence, child abuse, or sexual assault require crisis intervention to ensure the victim's safety, address immediate physical and psychological trauma, and provide resources for ongoing support.
Substance abuse and overdose: Crisis intervention is critical in cases of drug overdose or severe substance abuse episodes to provide immediate medical care and address underlying mental health issues.
Public health emergencies: Situations like the COVID-19 pandemic can create widespread psychological distress. Crisis intervention in such contexts involves providing accurate information, addressing fears and anxieties, and supporting those most affected.

Key principles and techniques

The principles used in crisis intervention include:

Ensure the individual's physical and emotional safety.
Act quickly to stabilize the situation.
Provide support in a direct, empathetic, and nonjudgmental manner.
Focus on the individual's immediate needs and concerns.
Aim to reduce emotional distress and psychological instability.
Foster resilience and coping in the face of crisis.

Common techniques that can be applied are:

Active listening to understand the individual's feelings and perspective.
Emotional support and reassurance to alleviate distress.
Identifying and mobilizing personal and community resources.
Developing coping strategies to manage immediate distress.
Providing information and guidance relevant to the crisis.
Crisis de-escalation techniques in high-stress situations.
Problem-solving to address immediate challenges.
Referral to appropriate services for ongoing support.

Models of crisis intervention

Established models of crisis intervention, such as SAFER-R and ACT, offer structured approaches to helping individuals in crisis. Each model has its unique elements and is suited to different contexts.

SAFER-R

This is often used when there is a need for immediate emotional stabilization and recovery planning. It's beneficial in scenarios where the crisis is acute and the individual needs help to return to their baseline functioning. This model is suitable for emergency departments, schools, or community settings.

ACT

The ACT model is more focused on assessing risks, particularly the risk of harm, and is often used in mental health emergencies like suicidal ideation or severe depression. It is comprehensive and well-suited for situations where a detailed understanding of the individual's support system and coping strategies is crucial. This model is commonly employed in mental health clinics, hospitals, or crisis hotlines.