Emotional First Aid

A School's Guide to Crisis Intervention
by Servio Carroll, Ed.S., NCSP, Crisis Intervention Team Sheridan (WY) School District No. 2
Overview
A crisis happens when one's coping mechanisms are overwhelmed by a situation. This inability to cope is a potentially dangerous situation because, as our stress levels rise, our excitability and impulsivity increase and our coping mechanisms and behavior options sharply decrease. Crises usually happen following large changes or losses in a person's life. Potential crisis situations are separation from meaningful relationships (like in death or divorce), flunking out of school, moving to a strange town, birth of a new child in the family, loss of security, loss of freedom, etc. Crises are normal occurrences in everyday lives and most people experience and successfully cope with these situations. The experience strengthens one's ability to handle future similar situations.
The ability to help people in distress is not the exclusive property of mental health professional. We have been successfully dealing with crises (both our own and our acquaintances') for many years, and have developed useful ways of dealing with these situations. Since in most cases we will encounter the distressed individual long before "professional" help is available, this Guide was created to give you the basics of Emotional First Aid. Don't be surprised if you find that some of the suggestions sound like "common sense."
Helping the Individual in Crisis
People in crisis act differently than normal. Depending on the crisis event and their coping ability, the changes may come about slowly, suddenly or be delayed. If you know the person in crisis, you will recognize they are not acting as usual, but be unsure as when to intervene. Most of us find this intervention uncomfortable and shy away from the person, with a wealth of rationalizations. Whether this is right or wrong, it's culturally accepted. However, shying away is much more difficult to do when an unexpected and sudden event takes place. ...and you are there! So what can you do to help bring equilibrium to the situation and help others regain their emotional balance?
1. Make Contact. It is important to make physical or emotional contact with the person in crisis. Depending on your relationship with the person, you might touch, shake or hold their hand, make eye contact, offer or accept a soda, cup of coffee, etc.
2. Suspend Judgment. When trying to understand the person in crisis it is helpful to listen in a special way that is listening without judging or placing expectations on the person. Since the person may be afraid of gossip, assure him that what is discussed will remain confidential. Some questions you might be asking yourself are: How does the person actually handle a crisis? Whom does she usually go to? What kind of supports does he have?
3. Clarify the Problem. People in crisis are often so nervous and disorganized that they are unable to be objective and define what the problem is. You may be able to help clarify the problem.
4. List Choices. A person in distress is often unable to see the alternatives available. You may be able to help the person list specific options available.
5. Encouragement. Sometimes a person in crisis will be "stuck" or "spinning their wheels," unable to make any progress. He might need encouragement to take some kind of action or to make a decision that would start the coping process again. This does not mean that you should make decisions for other people but that the person in crisis may need a little push to make her own decision.
6. Give Information. One of the most important services you can provide to many people is information on resources available in the community. Information about visiting nurses, legal aid, food cooperatives, YMCA, YWCA, social clubs, welfare, etc. if often unknown to many people. You can act as a link or advocate to these resources.
© 1998 National Association of School Psychologists, 4340 East West Highway, Suite 402, Bethesda MD 20814 301-657-0270.