Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) and Crisis Debriefing

Crisis Intervention and Debriefing

• Crisis intervention is needed during or immediately following a crisis situation.
• Crisis debriefing is typically helpful when conducted 24-48 hours after the crisis event.

MHPSS and Crisis Debriefing

• The main difference between MHPSS (Mental Health and Psychosocial Support) and Crisis Debriefing is that MHPSS is a broader range of interventions, while Crisis Debriefing is a specific, single-session intervention.

Psychological Debriefing

• One-off, single-session psychological debriefing should not be provided when it may cause harm, re-traumatize, or interfere with the natural recovery process.

Crisis Situation

• Immediately following a crisis situation, victims are typically in a state of shock, denial, or disorientation.

Suicidal Patients

• A common intervention for low-risk suicidal patients is contracting for safety, where the patient agrees to contact a healthcare provider or emergency services if they experience suicidal thoughts.

Risk Assessment

• The main difference between low-risk and middle-risk suicidal patients is the severity of their suicidal ideation and plans.
• Involuntary hospitalization is necessary for high-risk suicidal patients who are at immediate risk of harming themselves.

Assessing Suicide Risk

• The purpose of assessing for signs of suicide is to identify individuals at risk and provide appropriate interventions to prevent suicidal behavior.

Schizophrenic Clients

• For schizophrenic clients who are actively hearing voices telling them to hurt themselves, immediate action should be taken to ensure their safety, such as providing a calm and comfortable environment, and encouraging them to seek help from a mental health professional.

Test your knowledge on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) and Crisis Debriefing with this quiz. Learn about the goals, differences, and when each approach is necessary in crisis situations.