Crisis Theory and Intervention Strategies as a Way to Mitigate Suicide Risk

Abstract

Crisis intervention has been included as an important strategy in many national strategies for suicide prevention. With an increasing demand for suicide interventions in diverse healthcare settings, crisis intervention has expanded into different areas of activity (community programmes, mental health or emergency settings) and crisis intervention teams have implemented several outreach programmes (telephone crisis intervention, face to face interventions, mobile crisis teams), offered either by trained volunteers or by mental health professionals. The duration of a crisis intervention may vary from a single contact to a short-term intervention extending for several weeks. Yet, there is little empirical evidence in regards to what type of crisis service is better suited for the prevention of suicide. This chapter will review the conceptual models that support crisis intervention and review the intervention strategies and techniques through the lens of different underlying theories. As well, we will review the empirical evidence for the different types of crisis services offered to individuals during a suicidal crisis.