Models of Crisis Intervention - Essay Example

 Background information Crisis intervention strives to achieve certain goals like screening, providing counseling and making referrals to those potentially affected by a disaster (Akiyama et al, 2008). Rather than letting individuals who are in need seek services on their own, intervention acts to bring or offer help to them at the disaster scene. Schools and camps are ideal focal points for child victims. The crisis intervention is simply collaborating with the community and harnessing its resources. Crisis intervention tries to mitigate psychological and social effects of disasters. It restores equilibrium; creatively solve problems under untaxed resources. Crisis intervention can include activities that are not associated with the normal traditional mental care like physical needs assistance, financial matters, shelter and family reunion (Walsh, 2009). To achieve these goals, there should be good collaborative efforts by schools, clinics, community agencies and families of the victims. In response to this, scholars developed models that can manage the crises. These models include Camp Noah model, psychological first aid among others (Kronenberg et al., 2008). Introduction A crisis is an occurrence where people face problems that are difficult to solve according to Kronenberg et al (2008). It leads to tensions, anxieties and the inability of an organization to function properly. A natural disaster can be a good classical example. Its management is critical to rehabilitate the situation or return it to its original form. This paper identifies a specific crisis and determines the intervention model that suits it. This piece of work compares three models: psychological first aid and faith based interventions (Camp Noah). Most important is to consider the perceptions of victims and relief workers before developing any given model. Cultural context as well as faiths of the casualties is equally important in developing the models. Scholars hold different explanation of these models, which the paper explores in different literatures. Psychological first aid This model is important when managing a natural disaster crisis. It looks at the first responders’ needs, victims and the management as a whole (Walsh, 2009). A good example is looking at the needs of the Red Cross, which is famous worldwide, and its victims. Respondents involve a large group including police officers, rescue workers, firefighters, humanitarian groups and anyone available to give a hand in a crisis. Kronenberg et al. (2008) states that the model entails as to education, peer support, speedy recovery, and range of care and accessibility of mental health. As the above scholars discuss, first responders ought to be strong for the situation. Conditions of the casualties should never scare the respondents. They attend to the victims regardless of the nature of their injuries. In such circumstances, emotional distress is a weakness. Any rescuer should not empathize with the victim since it reduces their abilities to rescue them. First responders should be physically and psychologically healthy to assist those affected (Akiyama et al., 2008). However, this model does not apply to the first responder. It also explains how the first aider has the ability to provide help to the needy. Compassionate engagement helps victims and those who need such help in understanding that the purpose of the first respondent is providing emotional comfort and safety (Kronenberg et al., 2008). First responder gives out the information on the nature of victims and the rescue resources that they may need. He or should be sober or clear-headed to identify the needs of the population and estimate resources that must be made available (Walsh, 2009). This calls for psychological steadiness that the responder must maintain it. In addition, stabilization is vital in psychological first aid (Kronenberg et al., 2008). It is important to note that the person who offers first aid should be in a position to calm the victims who are in trauma. This also applies to those available at the scene and can join the first aider to help bring calm. At the time of disaster, confusion and helpless can do more damage that the disaster itself. People always stare in dismay and scream, which may scare the victims more. Anyone in charge of the situation should be able to contain the crowd as well as those helping him or her in performing first aid (Walsh, 2009). However, immediacy and stabilization level differs with scenarios and the needs of victims as well as first respondent. In a serious disaster situation, those performing first aid are required to stabilize quickly since lives and properties are in critical conditions. Inasmuch as casualties have their needs prioritized, rescuers must never be under looked (Akiyama et al., 2008). They also need support emotionally and resource wise to accomplish their philanthropic works. Faith-based interventions (Camp Noah) This model is applicable when dealing with crisis management or intervention especially natural disasters. Camp Noah is a model that focuses on child victims (Walsh, 2009). It involves children camping for a week with a view of expressing their trauma and put in an environment that rekindles and supports their faith (Akiyama et al., 2008). The model uses fun activities in providing therapeutic trauma relief to child victims. Such type of activities makes the children forget what they experienced in the disaster. Moreover, they are put in a secluded environment (camp) thereby sparing them the agonies of the disaster. Comparing the intervention models Camp Noah or faith-based can be compared to culturally based models; both takes individual context and community at heart (Walsh, 2009). The difference comes about in its format; it does not adapt therapy context but therapeutic expression. The camp model is majorly a strategy while Asian models focus on implementation. Camp Noah makes use of games, music, bible study, therapeutic consultation and crafts (art) (Akiyama et al., 2008). It is characterized by low quality care ratios among the participants and adequate care provided by highly trained personnel. Camp Noah tries to improve disaster coping skills and processing of disaster trauma. On the other hand, Asian models mainly focus on reduction of the “seeking mental health stigma” (Kronenberg et al., 2008). Major similarities between these models include; taking into account community setting, community and its overall resources are involved. There is also a distinction between faith based or the camp Noah model and the psychological first aid model (Akiyama et al., 2008). It is the immediate help given to victims and their properties. Age plays a little role in such a situation unlike the faith-based intervention where only children are center of focus. Those involved in rescuing differ on both the models; the psychological model has first responders while the rescuers in camp Noah are secondary helpers who help the children recover (Walsh, 2009). Rescuers are encouraged to be emotionally stable. The needs of rescuers and the victims are important considerations to enable effective crisis management. In Camp Noah model, victims are the only center of focus with the therapeutic consultants only offering counseling to the children (Kronenberg et al., 2008). Similarities come about in that in both the models, the community is involved. Recommended further research In the year 2002, academicians undertook a comprehensive literature review regarding immediate and long-term services for the disaster situations (Kronenberg et al., 2008). This exposed gaps in the current understanding about crisis intervention models. There were a number of protocols kept about this meeting but there were no evaluation that relates to this topic. In most literatures, there are no defined roles of superintendents, principles (in case of a school) or education boards. On the other hand, issues like climate as the disaster are missing in most literatures. Of the three articles reviewed in this research paper, not a single recommends follow up for the victims after they have received counseling and first aid. These areas must be on to give a comprehensive knowledge of the best models to employ in times of crisis. Conclusion Crisis intervention mainly applies to natural disasters. Both the affected population and caregivers should receive equal aftercare services. Psychological first aid model puts the victims need first with the responder given little care. In the model, caregivers should avoid getting emotional as possible as it shows weakness. Cultural and faith based interventions helps victims hold their faiths in times of trauma. This is most suitable for child victims who get scared the most of these events. Furthermore, Camp Noah and Asian model are also preferred since they provide the ideal environment for the victims to cope. Concisely, a model that operates cross-culturally is best since all key elements become integrated. This makes it globally acceptable. References Akiyama, T., Chandra, N., Chen, C., Ganesan, M., Koyama, A., & Kua, E., et al. (2008). Asian models of excellence in psychiatric care and rehabilitation. International Review of Psychiatry, 20(5), 445-451. Doi: 10.1080/09540260802397537. Kronenberg, M., Osofsky, H., Osofsky, J., Many, M., Hardy, M., & Arey, J. (2008). First responder culture: Implications for mental health professionals providing services following a natural disaster. Psychiatric journals, 38 (2), 114-118. Doi: 10.3928/00485713-20080201-05. Walsh, D. (2009). Interventions to reduce psychosocial disturbance following humanitarian relief efforts involving natural disasters: An integrative review. International Journal of Nursing Practice, 15 (4), 231-240. doi:10.1111/j.1440-172X.2009.01766.x. Read More