Therapy Near Me Mental Health Articles

Crisis intervention services are essential in providing immediate, short-term assistance to individuals experiencing mental health crises or other acute emergencies. These services aim to de-escalate situations, provide stabilisation, and connect individuals to long-term support where necessary. Whether addressing mental health emergencies, substance abuse, domestic violence, or other urgent situations, crisis intervention services serve as a critical lifeline in times of distress. This article explores the key components of crisis intervention services, their importance in the mental health care continuum, and their role in preventing further escalation of emergencies.

Crisis intervention services are designed to offer immediate assistance to individuals in acute distress, ensuring their safety and emotional well-being while reducing the potential for harm. These services can take many forms, including phone hotlines, mobile crisis teams, in-person crisis centres, and hospital-based emergency services (Roberts, 2018). Typically, these services are available 24/7 to respond to emergencies as they arise.

The primary goal of crisis intervention is to provide timely and effective support during high-stress situations that could lead to dangerous outcomes, such as suicide attempts, self-harm, or violent behaviour. By offering immediate psychological support, crisis services aim to stabilise individuals and connect them with the appropriate follow-up care or treatment (Everly & Mitchell, 2008).

1. Immediate Response: Crisis intervention services are designed to provide an immediate response to individuals in acute distress. This quick intervention can prevent escalation, offering individuals emotional support and safety in critical moments.
2. Stabilisation and Assessment: Crisis intervention services provide immediate stabilisation, assessing the individual’s mental, emotional, and physical condition to determine the best course of action. This often involves identifying the underlying causes of the crisis and addressing immediate safety concerns (Kanel, 2019).
3. Referral to Long-Term Care: Crisis services are often short-term by design, focusing on stabilisation and immediate needs. Once the immediate crisis is resolved, individuals are referred to long-term care services such as counselling, therapy, or community support programs (James & Gilliland, 2016).
4. Multi-disciplinary Approach: Effective crisis intervention typically involves a multi-disciplinary team, including mental health professionals, social workers, law enforcement, and medical personnel. This collaborative approach ensures that individuals receive comprehensive support, addressing both their immediate and long-term needs (Slaikeu, 1990).

1. Mental Health Crisis Hotlines: Crisis hotlines provide 24/7 phone support for individuals experiencing emotional distress. Services such as Lifeline (Australia) and Beyond Blue offer trained counsellors who can provide immediate emotional support, crisis counselling, and referrals to further assistance (Lifeline Australia, 2021).
2. Mobile Crisis Teams: Mobile crisis teams are composed of mental health professionals who respond directly to the scene of a crisis, whether at home, in public, or in a healthcare setting. These teams provide in-person assessment, de-escalation, and referrals for further treatment (Price et al., 2018). Mobile teams are particularly effective for individuals who may not have access to transportation or are unable to seek help themselves.
3. Crisis Stabilisation Units (CSUs): These are short-term residential facilities where individuals can receive intensive care for acute mental health crises. CSUs provide a safe environment where individuals can stabilise under the care of mental health professionals and are connected to further services (Rogers & Ritchie, 2018).
4. Hospital-Based Emergency Services: For more severe cases, hospital-based crisis intervention services are available in emergency rooms, offering immediate medical and psychiatric care. These services are crucial for individuals experiencing psychotic episodes, suicide attempts, or severe mental health breakdowns (Boudreaux et al., 2016).

1. Suicide Prevention: One of the most critical roles of crisis intervention services is in suicide prevention. Timely intervention can make the difference between life and death for individuals contemplating suicide. A study by Gould et al. (2007) found that crisis hotlines significantly reduce the feelings of hopelessness and suicidal ideation in callers.
2. Reduction in Hospitalisations: By providing immediate support, crisis intervention services can prevent the need for hospitalisation or involuntary psychiatric treatment. Mobile crisis teams and CSUs offer less restrictive alternatives to hospital emergency departments, reducing the strain on healthcare systems and offering individuals a more comfortable, accessible environment for recovery (Price et al., 2018).
3. Community Safety: Crisis intervention services also play a role in ensuring community safety. By providing support to individuals in distress before situations escalate to violence or self-harm, these services prevent potential harm to the individual and those around them (Roberts, 2018).
4. Improved Mental Health Outcomes: Crisis intervention services are an integral part of the mental health care continuum. They provide individuals with immediate access to care during crises, improving mental health outcomes by connecting individuals to long-term treatment options (James & Gilliland, 2016).

In Australia, crisis intervention services are widely accessible and include national helplines, such as Lifeline and Beyond Blue, as well as state-based services. These organisations provide 24/7 support to individuals experiencing mental health crises, connecting them to resources and services within their communities. Additionally, many hospitals and community health centres have crisis intervention services available for more severe cases that require in-person assessment.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has also incorporated crisis intervention into its mental health services, providing emergency support to participants in acute mental health distress. This is particularly important for individuals with psychosocial disabilities, who may experience heightened risks during a crisis (NDIS, 2022).

Despite the availability of crisis intervention services, there are ongoing challenges in ensuring accessibility and quality care:

1. Lack of Resources: Many crisis intervention services are underfunded and face staff shortages, particularly in rural and remote areas. This can lead to longer response times and limited availability of mobile crisis teams (Bowers, 2014).
2. Stigma and Lack of Awareness: Many individuals experiencing a mental health crisis may be reluctant to seek help due to stigma surrounding mental illness or a lack of awareness about available services. Public education campaigns are necessary to improve awareness of crisis services and reduce the stigma associated with seeking help (Corrigan et al., 2014).
3. Integration with Other Services: Crisis intervention services often struggle with integrating care between emergency services, mental health providers, and community support. Improved coordination between these sectors is crucial to ensure individuals receive the appropriate care following a crisis (Roberts, 2018).

Crisis intervention services are a vital component of mental health care, providing immediate support to individuals in distress and helping to prevent the escalation of crises. From suicide prevention to community safety, these services play a crucial role in de-escalating emergencies and connecting individuals with long-term care. As demand for mental health services continues to grow, it is essential to ensure that crisis intervention services are accessible, well-funded, and integrated with other aspects of the healthcare system.

• Boudreaux, E. D., Camargo, C. A., Arias, S. A., Sullivan, A. F., Allen, M. H., Goldstein, A. B., & Miller, I. W. (2016). Improving suicide risk screening and detection in the emergency department. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 50(4), 445-453.
• Bowers, L. (2014). Safewards: A new model of care for psychiatric inpatient units. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 21(6), 499-508.
• Corrigan, P. W., Druss, B. G., & Perlick, D. A. (2014). The impact of mental illness stigma on seeking and participating in mental health care. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 15(2), 37-70.
• Everly, G. S., & Mitchell, J. T. (2008). Crisis intervention: A handbook of immediate person-to-person help. Chevron Publishing Corporation.
• Gould, M. S., Kalafat, J., Munfakh, J. L. H., & Kleinman, M. (2007). An evaluation of crisis hotline outcomes part 2: Suicidal callers. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 37(3), 338-352.
• James, R. K., & Gilliland, B. E. (2016). Crisis intervention strategies. Cengage Learning.
• Kanel, K. (2019). A guide to crisis intervention. Cengage Learning.
• Lifeline Australia. (2021). Crisis support and suicide prevention. Retrieved from https://www.lifeline.org.au
• NDIS. (2022). Psychosocial supports in the NDIS. Retrieved from https://www.ndis.gov.au
• Price, O., Baker, J., Bee, P., & Lovell, K. (2018). Suicidal thoughts and behaviours in people accessing crisis resolution services: A qualitative investigation. Journal of Affective Disorders, 235, 173-179.
• Roberts, A. R. (2018). Crisis intervention handbook: Assessment, treatment, and research. Oxford University Press.
• Rogers, A., & Ritchie, D. (2018). Mobilising mental health: A new model for crisis resolution and home treatment. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 53(8), 843-849.
• Slaikeu, K. A. (1990). Crisis intervention: A handbook for practice and research. Allyn & Bacon.

How to get in touch

If you or your NDIS participant need immediate mental healthcare assistance, feel free to get in contact with us on 1800 NEAR ME – admin@therapynearme.com.au.