Crisis intervention services provide emergency social and mental health support, including hotlines, counseling, shelters, and advocacy. Mental health crises, addiction, violence, and court or medical advocacy are covered. Hotlines are often the first point of contact and services vary by location.
Crisis intervention services cover a range of emergency social and mental health supports that are usually accessible 24 hours a day. These services are typically designed to offer immediate and intensive care to people in extreme emotional or mental distress. This help can come in the form of telephone hotlines, support groups, shelters, temporary housing, mental health and addiction counseling, education, advocacy, or mobile teams of professionals who can go directly to the person in crisis. The exact types of services available vary by location.
Issues related to mental health crises, suicidal ideation, addiction intervention, rape, and domestic violence victims often have services tailored to meet specific needs. Mental health professionals and social workers tend to be at the forefront of providing these crisis intervention services. The primary concern of any crisis worker is to make sure the person having the emergency is safe. If a professional determines that the situation is severe enough to warrant a psychiatric hospitalization, the interventionist will often assist with the admissions process into an appropriate facility.
Mental health issues are perhaps most commonly associated with a need for crisis intervention services, but many other issues also have emergency resources. Many communities have systems in place to help victims of violence find appropriate counseling, support groups or shelter. Some areas also offer intervention services related to court or medical advocacy.
Crisis intervention services are sometimes accessed through other emergency services, such as hospitals and local law enforcement agencies. Medical staff often call crisis intervention workers to help coordinate aftercare support services for people arriving with mental, emotional, or addiction issues. Law enforcement agencies can also refer victims of physical or sexual abuse to the appropriate services.
Telephone hotlines are often the point of first contact between the person in distress and the crisis intervention services. These lines of communication tend to be manned by professional counselors or trained volunteers who will offer support, information and follow-up services to the caller. Some international organizations, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, have crisis services available by telephone and on the Internet.
Crisis intervention services are available for a wide range of situations. Information about what services are available in a particular location can usually be obtained from local mental health or social services centres. These resources can also be found on the Internet or by contacting a local hospital.
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