Crisis Intervention and Suicidality

1. Crisis Intervention Basics

This chapter introduces the basics of mental illness and crisis intervention and provides a foundation for practitioners to understand how a mental health crisis occurs. Practitioners should be able to better understand the root cause of a mental health crisis after engaging with this chapter.

2. De-escalation Cycle and Levels

This chapter explores the cycle of de-escalation and provides hallmark features to identify a client's level within the de-escalation cycle. Practitioners should be able to identify where on the cycle of de-escalation a client is in order to implement appropriate interventions.

3. De-escalation Interventions

This chapter focuses on interventions for each level of crisis de-escalation, including examples of appropriate communication techniques. Safety considerations are addressed at each level to ensure the safety of the client and practitioners. Understanding the necessary interventions for each level of de-escalation is vital to ensuring the crisis does not escalate and can be dealt with without violent intervention.

4. High Risk for Violence De-escalation

This chapter focuses solely on situations in which a high risk for violence is present. Intervention strategies and information regarding law enforcement are provided. Interventions to prevent future situations from escalating are demonstrated.

5. Suicidal and Homicidal Intent

This chapter focuses solely on suicidal and homicidal intent in clients with mental illness. Strategies for communicating around these sensitive topics are discussed, as well as the use of safety planning interventions to ensure that practitioners have basic skills in addressing a mental health crisis.