Two brief suicide prevention protocols, Counselors CARE (C-Care) and C-Care plus a 12-session Coping and Support Training (CAST) peer group intervention, were evaluated for immediate post intervention effects. The predicted patterns of change were assessed using trend analyses on data available from three repeated measures. Both groups experienced…

Participants from five groups completed a questionnaire that required them to assess their use of 11 coping mechanisms. Participants differed from one another, depending on group affiliation, on five strategies. The strategy judged most important was "maintaining contact with other helpers." Concludes that training programs should…

Participants (n=161) viewed a videotaped "disaster" during which they "placed" themselves on the scene as helpers. Results indicate that two groups, those who had received previous training in coping skills versus those who had not, differed significantly in the use of skills and level of psychological comfort. (Author)

Explains how local PTAs can help with school crisis intervention, focusing on dealing with the public and the media; spreading the word about the National PTA's programs and positions via public relations programs; what to do during a crisis; and how to prepare for press conferences and prepare necessary materials. Finally, the paper discusses the…

Examined the nature and scope of victimization as experienced by individuals with mental illness; and what demographic and clinical characteristics played in influencing the risk among this group. Results indicate social workers should assess for experiences of victimization and better understand the effect of such experiences on individual's…

Generally, when a student or a staff member coped with the psychological aftermath of a tragedy, they did so without the involvement-or responsibility-of school personnel. But educators have come to recognize that schools play a critical role in any crisis response and care system serving children and youth. This is true whether teachers are…

A project was conducted to provide adult basic education (ABE) personnel with a better understanding of the special needs of clients suffering from mental health problems and to provide information that will help them to develop agency policies and procedures for this type of client. During the project, four workshops were organized and delivered,…

Every day, untrained individuals are called upon to intervene in crises. This paper presents a two-stage approach to crisis intervention, limited here to the immediate alleviation of symptoms and the rapid referral to qualified help. The first stage entails a crisis intervention model that is comprehensive enough to deal effectively with an…

The first 2 hours following a crisis can determine the public's lasting perception of an educational system or organization. Following the assumption that crises are inevitable, school administrators must be prepared to communicate quickly and accurately to avoid being judged unfairly. This book offers strategies to public-sector educators who are…

Schools are increasingly confronted with crisis events. This resource aid packet provides materials to facilitate planning and implementation of a school-based crisis response and related staff training. The packet is divided into four sections. The first offers a brief overview that can be shared with school staff to raise awareness about the…

Originally developed to respond to the Desert Storm/Persian Gulf War, this resource book provides information designed to help parents, teachers, and service providers to plan and implement a comprehensive response to meeting children's emotional needs during a crisis. Contributors are experts on different kinds of crises that school age children…

This hearing was the second in a series examining the impact of homelessness and dislocation on young people in America. This session focused on the problems of homeless and runaway adolescents. Witnesses described the need for multiple services for this population, for effective provision of services, and for greater coordination and planning.…

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among adolescents and young adults between the ages of 15-25. Every day, over 1,000 young adults attempt to destroy themselves. Although adolescents contemplate suicide for many reasons, research suggests that depression is the number one risk factor in suicide. Accordingly, this paper describes many of…

This document presents an annotated bibliography of 1,008 references on the subject of primary prevention in mental health. The bibliography is divided into 20 sections, each containing cross-references. Section I includes citations providing general perspectives on primary prevention. Section II provides a perspective on publications that discuss…

This sourcebook was written for teachers, counselors, and other adults who work with children from violent homes. It is based on the belief that it is never too early to intervene with victims of domestic violence. The introduction defines domestic violence, describes what happens to children in violent homes, identifies abusers, examines the…