What is Crisis?

A crisis is a disruption or breakdown in a person’s or family’s normal or usual pattern of functioning, which cannot be resolved by their customary problem-solving resources or skills. It differs from a problem, which can be solved by the individual or family without outside intervention, and an emergency, which requires immediate attention due to life-threatening events. Three basic elements of a crisis are a stressful situation, difficulty in coping, and the timing of intervention.

Situations Leading to Crisis

Various situations can lead to a crisis, including:

Family Situations

• Child abuse investigation
• Spouse abuse
• Unplanned pregnancy
• Parent’s desertion
• Chronically ill family member
• Lack of social support

Economic Situations

• Sudden or chronic financial strain
• Loss of employment
• Eviction
• Lack of food
• Theft of household cash or belongings
• High medical expenses
• Missed child support payments
• Repossession of a car
• Utilities cut off from service
• Money “lost” to gambling or drug addiction
• Poverty

Community Situations

• Neighborhood violence
• Inadequate housing
• Lack of community resources
• Inadequate educational programs

Significant Life Events

• Marriage
• Birth of a child
• Job promotion
• Retirement
• Child enrolling in school
• Behaviors of an adolescent
• Grown child leaving the home
• Onset of menopause
• Death of a loved one

Natural Elements

• Disasters such as floods, hurricanes, fires, and earthquakes
• Extended periods of high heat and humidity
• Gloomy or excessively cold weather

Worker Responsibilities in Crisis Intervention

CSO case workers and disability program specialists play a crucial role in responding to client crises. Their responsibilities include:

• Taking a quick inventory of the situation
• Identifying the type of crisis
• Taking action to defuse the situation and reassure the client
• Once the situation is calm, identifying and contacting available community resources to assist the client
• Documenting events to the extent possible, maintaining confidentiality when required
• Maintaining professional skills and resources by seeking additional training opportunities and keeping information about available community resources accessible to clients and staff

Examples of Crisis

Financial Crisis

• Delta Air Lines: The airline filed for bankruptcy in 2005 due to decreased customer demand following the September 11 attacks. It overcame bankruptcy in 2007 and implemented measures to improve the customer experience.
• Gold’s Gym: The fitness giant faced bankruptcy and permanent closure of gyms in 2020 due to the impact of COVID-19. It recovered after being acquired by RSG Group.

Personnel Crisis

• Tyson Foods: Workers at a pork plant in Iowa faced COVID-19 outbreaks, and supervisors were allegedly involved in a betting pool on the number of infected workers. Legal repercussions followed.
• WeWork: Former CEO Adam Neumann stepped down in 2019 after overvaluing the company during its attempted public offering.
• CrossFit: Former CEO Greg Glassman made controversial statements during the 2020 Black Lives Matter movement, leading to his resignation.

Organizational Crisis

• Google: The tech giant faced allegations of spying on employees and discouraging unionized organizations in 2020.
• Wells Fargo: Employees opened millions of fake customer accounts without consent to meet sales quotas, resulting in legal penalties.

Technological Crisis

• Google: The company experienced a major product outage in 2020, affecting services like Gmail and YouTube. It apologized and restored services after resolving the issue.
• Instagram: The social media platform experienced an hour-long outage in 2021, impacting users and businesses relying on the platform.

Sources:

• https://blog.hubspot.com/service/types-of-crisis
• https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-a-crisis-2795061
• https://www.dshs.wa.gov/book/export/html/490

FAQs

What is a crisis?

A crisis is a disruption or breakdown in a person’s or family’s normal or usual pattern of functioning, which cannot be resolved by their customary problem-solving resources or skills.

What are some situations that can lead to a crisis?

Situations that can lead to a crisis include family situations (e.g., child abuse investigation, spouse abuse), economic situations (e.g., sudden financial strain, loss of employment), community situations (e.g., neighborhood violence, inadequate housing), significant life events (e.g., marriage, birth of a child, death of a loved one), and natural elements (e.g., disasters, extreme weather).

What are the responsibilities of workers in crisis intervention?

Workers in crisis intervention, such as case workers and disability program specialists, are responsible for taking a quick inventory of the situation, identifying the type of crisis, taking action to defuse the situation and reassure the client, identifying and contacting available community resources to assist the client, documenting events to the extent possible, and maintaining professional skills and resources.

What are some examples of crisis?

Examples of crisis include financial crisis (e.g., Delta Air Lines filing for bankruptcy due to decreased customer demand), personnel crisis (e.g., Tyson Foods workers facing COVID-19 outbreaks and alleged betting pool on infected workers), organizational crisis (e.g., Google facing allegations of spying on employees), technological crisis (e.g., Google experiencing a major product outage), and natural crisis (e.g., California wildfires causing widespread damage).

How can I help someone in crisis?

To help someone in crisis, you can:

• Listen actively and empathize with their feelings.
• Offer emotional support and reassurance.
• Help them identify and access available resources, such as crisis hotlines, mental health professionals, or community support groups.
• Encourage them to take care of their physical and mental well-being, such as eating, sleeping, and exercising.
• Stay connected and check in on them regularly.

What should I do if I am in crisis?

If you are in crisis, you can:

• Reach out to a trusted friend, family member, or mental health professional for support.
• Call a crisis hotline or helpline.
• Visit a crisis center or emergency room if necessary.
• Take care of your physical and mental well-being by eating, sleeping, and exercising.
• Avoid alcohol and drugs, as they can worsen the situation.

How can I prevent a crisis from happening?

To prevent a crisis from happening, you can:

• Build strong relationships with family and friends, and maintain a support network.
• Develop coping mechanisms for dealing with stress and difficult situations.
• Take care of your physical and mental health by eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and getting enough sleep.
• Be aware of your triggers and warning signs, and have a plan in place for managing them.
• Seek professional help if you are struggling with mental health issues or other challenges.

Where can I find more information about crisis intervention?

You can find more information about crisis intervention from mental health organizations, crisis centers, and online resources. Some reputable sources include:

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
• The Crisis Text Line: Text “START” to 741741
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)