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 Crisis intervention refers to the methods use to offer immediate, short-term help to individuals who experience an event that produces emotional, mental, physical, and behavioral distress or problems. A crisis can refer to any situation in which the individual perceives a sudden loss of his or her ability to use effective problem-solving and coping skills.
A number of events can be considered a crisis: life-threatening situations, such as natural disasters (an earthquake or tornado); sexual assault or other criminal victimization; medical illness; mental illness; thoughts of suicide or homicide; and loss or drastic changes in relationships (the death of a loved one, for example).
Crisis care is provided through the emergency department at Providence Alaska Medical Center or through the Crisis Line at (907)563-5006.
Adults in crisis are evaluated by a psychiatric nurse practitioner or a licensed mental health counselor who conducts a mental status examination and confers with the psychiatrist on call or the adolescent’s physician to determine if hospitalization is needed.
Adolescents in crisis are evaluated by a psychiatric nurse practitioner or a licensed mental health counselor who conducts a mental status examination, meets with the parents/guardian, and confers with the psychiatrist on call or the adolescent’s physician to determine if hospitalization is needed.
If inpatient care is required, the adult or adolescent will be admitted as quickly and smoothly as possible. If inpatient care is not recommended, the adult or adolescent will be assisted through the immediate crisis and referred for outpatient therapy.
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