Crisis Intervention Topics

A crisis is described as an unstable period of time of danger or a sudden change in events. A crisis will usually develop after a traumatic event and will require mediation to help a person cope. This help is called crisis intervention, where a third party will assist survivors or victims to cope emotionally and to gain control over the situation.

Domestic Violence

• In a domestic violence situation, the victim is often looking for help to get out of a situation in which they have been abused physically or emotionally. The victim can be a spouse or a child, and that person may seek intervention from the courts or a government entity following a violent episode. This type of intervention involves educating the victim on her rights and helping her understand her options.

Suicide

• Crisis intervention for suicide can be for the suicidal person or for the relatives or friends of someone who has committed suicide. When a person is suicidal, doctors, family members or friends can intervene if they are aware of the problem. For those left behind after someone has committed suicide, intervention can help them cope with the sudden loss of a loved one.

Workplace Violence

• Witnesses or victims of workplace violence can suffer from emotional trauma. Crisis intervention is usually brought in by management. The goal is to help employees cope with the trauma and assist them in returning to a regular work routine. It also is necessary to help victims feel safe and secure again in their work environment.

Societal or Mass Trauma

• An example of this type of crisis would be the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the U.S. These events affected thousands, if not millions, of people. Crisis intervention for this type of situation can happen on a local level, within cities or even within the home. Intervention may also come from federal and state government in providing assistance to survivors and family members of those who died.