Crisis management
In crisis management situations, the focus is on the client’s immediate needs. In some cases, these needs may be caused by mental health problems or illnesses such as anxiety, depression or suicidal thoughts.
Other concerns that might call for crisis management include:
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Acute physical and mental health concerns
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Domestic violence
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Homelessness
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Urgent child welfare issues
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Loss of welfare or other financial support
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Arrest or other legal problems
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Bereavement (including not just the loss of people from the client’s life, but other losses such as giving up on dreams and aspirations)
Crisis situations that require immediate attention include:
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Homelessness
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Concerns about suicide
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Domestic violence
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Mental health crises
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Other emergency situations
No matter how frequently crisis situations may or may not occur in settlement and social services work, it is important for service providers to be prepared and know how to respond.
Settlement and social service providers should not attempt to take the place of a trained counsellor, but should instead refer the client to more appropriate support. In such situations, it is also important to respond in some way to the client's immediate distress by reducing their level of distress. Simply offering the client a glass of water may provide them with some comfort. It may also be helpful for service providers to offer to support the client with a number of relaxation techniques, such as breathing or visualization, if they have appropriate training or tools to use these techniques. The most accessible and most commonly-used technique is grounding, which is a set of strategies used to detach from emotional pain.
Review question
True or false?
As a settlement of social service provider, oneshould not attempt to take on the role of a trained mental health counsellor.