Discusses the effects of Hurricane Andrew on disaster workers, followed by some reported experiences of workers as well as victims. Background on natural disasters in general is given, along with information about crisis intervention. Discusses mental health interventions and various skills needed by disaster mental health counselors. (Author/KW)

During the Gulf War, Israeli mental health professionals played an invaluable role, but their efforts raise questions about what constitutes an appropriate, supportive response for a population suddenly faced with a hazardous event, whether hostile or not. Discusses the strategies used, with lessons that might enhance the disaster services of any…

School counselors can design a long-term, comprehensive drug use intervention program by combining elements from their discipline's knowledge base. They may formulate a community-based intervention team, work with the team and school officials to restructure school policy, design specific interventions, collect data on at-risk students, and…

This exploratory study compared the response patterns of two groups of counselors experienced in crisis intervention. One group (N=5) was trained according to the Rusk model and the other (N=5) in the brief, focal therapy approach. With the exception of explicit empathy, no between-group differences in frequency of intervention were found. (Author)

This paper presents and evaluates a comprehensive client management system for suicide and crisis intervention services. The management system consists of five service designations: self-injury, crisis, active support, general support, and single contact. These designations determine the extent and type of activity engaged in, as well as the scope…

A therapeutic technique for dealing with a chronic caller to a suicide prevention center was tested. The two objectives to such a technique were to reduce the frequency of calls made by chronic callers to the suicide prevention service, and to persuade callers to be more specific when discussing their problem. To accomplish these objectives, a…

This article presents a method for family crisis intervention. The goal is extended from restoring the crisis bearing unit to its pre-crisis level of coping to a basic restructuring of maladaptive pre-crisis behaviors. It is aimed at general behavior change as well as resolution of the immediate situation. (Author)

This fact sheet, newly revised and updated since the attacks of September 11th, aims to share what is known about the impact of violence and disasters on children and to suggest steps to minimize long-term emotional harm. Trauma is defined to include emotional as well as physical experiences and injuries. It is noted that even secondhand exposure…

This study evaluated three major models currently used by crisis-intervention centers to train and supervise nonprofessional counselors. Training groups included preservice training only (PSO), preservice training and delayed supervision (PSD), and preservice training and immediate supervision (PSI). Findings indicate most learning by…

Explores some of the possible distinctive traits of midlife suicides, which include: loss of spouse, years of heavy drinking, reaching the age of high depression risk, and occupational problems. Midlife suicides tend to be highest among white males, although female suicide rates peak in midlife. The paper concludes with a review of assessment and…

Crisis events may be viewed as expected, sudden, or catastrophic. Survivors have common needs: recognition of loss, soothing of fear, a sense of what happened, expression of feelings, assistance with adjustment, shared closure rituals, and ways to remember. Schools' crisis-response plans should include intervention and postintervention activities…

The first national toll free suicide crisis line for South Africa was launched in October 2003 with the aim of providing a service dedicated to the prevention of suicide in this country. The intervention was motivated by South Africa's suicide rate which had risen higher than the global suicide rate, with the majority of attempted suicides…

Few images are as compelling as a child who has become the victim of a manmade or natural disaster. This book is designed to draw together data, theory, and observation that address children's psychological response to disaster. Characterized by its diversity in scope, nature, and quality, some of the material comes in the form of observations…

One of the most hazardous assignments police officers face is dealing with family quarrels and disturbances. In 1972, 13 percent of all policemen killed in the line of duty died while responding to disturbance complaints. Despite these dangers, techniques for dealing with such crises are rarely included in police recruit and inservice training…

Consultation to the staff of a trainable mentally retarded (TMR) public school over a 2 year period is described in terms of the multiple roles the consultant must play. Emphasis is placed on the consultant's active role in facilitating the staff, especially with regard to trying new behaviors. The consultant is seen to reach the children…