What Can Cause a Crisis?
A mental health crisis can occur for a variety of reasons. However, there are two leading factors that can influence a crisis situation.
Traumatic Events and Stress
When a person experiences a traumatic event, such as the sudden loss of a loved one or finding out about an illness, they can become completely overwhelmed with emotions. There are even situations where individuals experience flashbacks that trigger a sudden reaction. Either of these situations can cause a panic attack, extreme stress, and confusion.
When these situations arise, it is important for sufferers to be able to find calmness. Unfortunately, this can be difficult to do alone. Crisis intervention services are incredibly effective when it comes to helping individuals overcome stress or suicidal ideation.
How Does Crisis Intervention Work?
Crisis intervention generally follows a six-step model for helping those struggling. These steps include:
- Defining the Problem: Your crisis intervention specialist will establish a connection with you to determine what caused the crisis.
- Ensure Safety: This step involves ensuring you are safe and out of harm’s way. This includes not being at risk of self-harm or abuse from another person.
- Provide Support: Once you are deemed to be physically safe, your crisis specialist will help determine an appropriate option to help relieve your crisis. They will also help determine long-term support measures that can help you while moving forward.
- Examine All Alternatives: Your crisis specialist may encourage you to explore various coping strategies and develop new ways of looking at the traumatic situation.
- Make Long-Term Plans: During this stage, your crisis specialist will help you develop plans on how you can implement the alternative coping strategies and measures into manageable steps.
- Obtain a Commitment: Your crisis specialist will help you commit to the steps and put a plan in writing.
The ultimate goal is to help de-escalate the situation, eliminate the risk of any harm, and ensure you are in a safe place, both mentally and physically, moving forward.
Get Crisis Intervention Services Now
Ms. Johanna Sanchez established Healthy Hearts & Minds, LLC with the vision to simplify the provision of quality mental health treatment at affordable costs for patients in need. As a licensed clinical social worker, she created her agency to ensure those struggling with emergency crisis situations have someone that they can connect to quickly and conveniently at any time of the day or night. If you are in need of crisis intervention services, do not delay contacting Healthy Hearts & Minds, LLC to schedule an appointment.