Strategies for Crisis Intervention & Prevention

Strategies for crisis intervention and prevention should only be implemented by a trained professional who is able to articulate what a true crisis looks like. Crisis prevention usually consists of an educational piece that teaches individuals appropriate coping skills and ways to control their emotions The techniques that are used will greatly enhance one's ability to cope with bouts of crisis.

Crisis Intervention

• When an individual experiences episodes of acute crisis, he enters into an emotional tailspin that greatly interrupts his ability to complete the tasks that go with daily living. His skills to control emotions and responses is also greatly compromised. Crisis-intervention skills were first introduced in the 1980s when the mental health laws started to take on a more humane approach to treating those in crisis. The crisis-intervention strategies used today stress teaching new skills to the struggling individual.

  Another technique is strategies for crisis intervention and prevention (SCIP). This is used when an individual has become physically threatening to self or another person. This strategy entails being able to recognize triggers that cause a crisis and taking action to redirect the individual's attention.

  One of the most widely used crisis intervention strategies is talk therapy. A clinician will process the real or perceived crisis with the individual by discussing the solutions to the situation, speaking softly and calmly and trying to restore emotional stability.

Crisis prevetion

• Sometimes crisis is a part of life, but it is how the crisis is managed that determines how individuals will respond and cope with the crisis. Emotion regulation teaches the person to learn new skills when responding to intense emotions. It also stresses that the individual learn how to be proactive instead of reactive. It is also prudent to let the person know who is struggling that crisis is an acute situation that triggers an intense emotional response and solutions are available. Individuals with good coping skills look at crisis as a natural part of life. Crisis prevention entails learning new coping skills and having an appropriate support network such as family, friends, church or spouse that will lend their emotional support.