A part of the emergency department in a hospital, where an individual experiencing a psychiatric crisis can receive immediate treatment for mental and emotional distress, substance use disorders, trauma, and psychosocial stressors. Crisis Intervention offers psychiatric evaluation and referral to either a higher level of care within the hospital system or appropriate outpatient services when needed (CARF International, 2019). 

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Crisis intervention has several purposes. First, it aims to reduce the intensity of emotional, mental, physical and behavioral reactions to a crisis. Another purpose is to help an individual return to their level of functioning before they experienced the crisis. Functioning may be improved by developing new coping skills such as withdrawal, isolation and substance use. In this way, the individual is better equipped to cope with future difficulties. Through talking about what happened, and the feelings about what happened, while developing new skills and ways to cope and solve problems, crisis intervention aims to assist the individual in recovering from the crisis and to prevent serious long-term problems from developing ("Crisis Intervention, n.d.).

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The following outline the steps a crisis therapist will generally follow:

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Identification: Identification that a problem exists and needs attention is the first step in dealing with a crisis. Therapists need to carefully assess internal and external causes of a crisis and be able to intervene promptly.

 

Assessment: After identifying a crisis situation, a therapist must perform an assessment or evaluation in a calm and supportive environment. This assessment needs to include verbal and non-verbal information, mental status, biopsychosocial history and current functioning, substance use, collateral information from family, and a risk assessment including suicidal thoughts and behavior. 

 

Intervention: After identification and assessment of the crisis, a plan of action needs to be collaboratively developed in order to provide stabilization and referral to the next level of care. This could include transfer to inpatient and/or outpatient treatment in order to reduce symptoms and improve functioning (Stevens & Ellerbrock-Bendele, 1997). 

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NowMattersNow.org

Skills and Support for Coping with Suicidal Thoughts

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Suicide Prevention Lifeline

1-800-273-TALK (8255)
TTY: 1-800-799-4889
Website: www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

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24-hour, toll-free, confidential suicide prevention hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Your call is routed to the nearest crisis center in the national network of more than 150 crisis centers.

 

SAMHSA's National Helpline

1-800-662-HELP (4357)
TTY: 1-800-487-4889
 

Also known as, the Treatment Referral Routing Service, this Helpline provides 24-hour free and confidential treatment referral and information about mental and/or substance use disorders, prevention, and recovery in English and Spanish