Veiner Centre hosts crisis intervention workshop

By Gillian Slade on October 25, 2018.

gslade@medicinehatnews.com  @MHNGillianSlade

Crisis intervention can be as simple as providing a listening ear, but it is also about knowing when professional help is necessary, according to a workshop at the Veiner Centre convened by Medicine Hat Family Services.

A crisis can be a life-changing health condition, financial issues, emotional abuse, the loss of your reputation or a relationship and perhaps the loss of a driver’s licence, said Sylvain Bellefeuille, Medicine Hat Family Service.

Basic Crisis Intervention, was part of the Drop In Life Long Learning Series (DILLS) held regularly at the Veiner Centre.

What constitutes a crisis depends on the individual and whether it has left them feeling helpless and overwhelmed. It could be identified in another person by the absence of smiles and laughter and even neglecting aspects of daily life they would normally be on top of, he explained.

Acknowledging the person’s predicament indicates compassion about what they are experiencing, said Bellefeuille. Asking them to continue telling you their story can give you insight into how they are coping in the crisis.

Depending on what they have experienced it may be appropriate to ask what they need to do at this stage to feel physically safe. Asking what their plans are to move forward can reveal if they are able to see what their next steps will need to be.

Acknowledging any positive steps they have taken can provided encouragement.

Bellefeuille noted the benefit of asking the person to rate their crisis on a scale of one to 10 could indicate whether you can support them or assist them in finding professional help.

Providing support and care to aging parents can see the traditional role of parent and child reversed, creating unique challenges. This is one of the times when connecting with care for caregivers may be necessary, said Bellefeuille. Sometimes decisions are necessary in the best interests of the parent.

There may be times when all the supports are put in place to help an aging parent and it may still not be enough. You may have to recognize your own limits, he explained.

There are times when in a public place you observe a stranger in crisis. There may be verbal or behavioral indications of this. Keep a respectful distance and ask for their name.

Use their name as you talk to them in a calm manner. Ask if there is something you can do to help, and ask questions that require more than a “yes” or “no” answer.

One question to avoid altogether is “why,” he said. Paraphrasing what you are told can help to indicate to the person that your have understood their message.

It is wise to set limits in terms of your assistance and ask for a professional to intervene when necessary. Unless you have been told something confidentially it can be helpful to debrief with someone else. There are also times in a situation of danger where seeking professional help for someone it a matter of safety even if you were told confidentially.

There are a range of resources when helping in a crisis is beyond your level of expertise:

— Alberta Mental Health Crisis Line 1-877-303-2642;

— Distress Centre, 24 hour support, free crisis counselling and resource referral services in southern Alberta, 1-800-784-2433;

— Health Link, tele-triage and health advice, navigation services and online content support: 811;

— Police, ambulance, fire emergency 911.

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