This paper presents a conceptual and operational approach toward dealing effectively with both staff anxiety and the situation precipitating anonymous telephone calls to campus health services. (MB)

To handle unforeseen crises, Albuquerque Public Schools established a critical-incident response team with a simple, understandable chain of command. The group aims to ensure maximum safety and people' well-being, develop a districtwide crisis-response-management plan, coordinate necessary training, and collaborate with community agencies…

Every child's death is different, and teachers, counselors, and teachers need to recognize that. When a fatal accident occurs at school, it is important to marshal every resource and notify parents in person, if possible. This article offers a resource list for future reference. (MLH)

Discusses the use of judicial review in breaking the cycle of multiplacements of children in foster homes. Also discusses the Court Appointed Special Advocate program which screens and trains volunteers to provide the attention necessary for cases of abused and neglected children. (RJC)

Compares and contrasts the contributions of various prevention models toward the theoretical reduction of suicide in the general population, and explores conceptual frameworks used to understand population-level risk factors. First-order and second-order targets of change in prevention efforts are defined and examples provided. (JPS)

Suicide prevention initiatives at the national level are most likely to impact the largest numbers of citizens. Canada lays some claim for recognition in the general field of suicide prevention as a result of a 1974 federal document focusing on health promotion. The authors discuss innovations and problems occurring in the various Canadian…

Surveyed 80 special education directors regarding functions of school psychologists. Results revealed that there was no single activity accounting for majority of school psychologist's time. Psychologists were rated as more effective in assessment, consulting, and crisis intervention. Activities rated as needing more involvement were counseling…

Discusses development and evaluation of community-based, telephone intervention suicide prevention centers. Reviews evidence regarding effectiveness of these centers and presence of causal relationship between crisis counseling exposure and suicide rate reduction. Offers cautions and recommendations. Examines model of health promotion program…

Describes counseling intervention system specific to "tough beat" crisis management. Describes "tough beat" as situation in which child suddenly behaves in way dramatically different from expected pattern. Notes difficulties parents have in responding to such situations and presents 10-step intervention plan for counselors. (NB)

Describes steps in establishing crisis intervention team in schools: determining goals, performing needs assessment, finding model programs, developing membership pool, developing training program, preparing and maintaining list of resources and plans for support services, establishing communication network, designating base of operations,…

Suicide, currently the second major cause of death among youth, is increasing. Dealing with the aftermath of student suicide requires unusual interventions called "postventions." Important functions include preventing cluster suicides, reducing student isolation, and aiding survivors in the grieving process. Planning involves four steps:…

Reviews the professional literature on spiritual emergency, including history of the concept; etiology, features, and course of phenomenon; differential diagnosis; and professional response to clients in spiritual emergency. A verbatim transcript of a client describing a spiritual emergency illustrates aspects of the phenomenon and evaluates…

Considers how crisis situations can cause internal and external stakeholders to question the legitimacy of organizations. Notes that when faced with a crisis, organizations are compelled to communicate strategically with stakeholders to manage legitimacy. Synthesizes literature on organizational legitimacy, crisis management, and niche-width…

Studies of the impact of short vs. long time delays between initial referral and first appointment for relationship counseling of 60 clients. Results indicate that clients offered appointments within two weeks of referral were significantly more likely to attend for first appointment than were clients whose appointment came between 4 and 12 weeks…