Crisis intervention

What are crisis interventions? 

People with severe mental illnesses such as schizophrenia may be in need of emergency care at some stage in their illness, particularly in the early stages. Crisis intervention is a treatment model designed to offer intensive crisis-focused treatment to people living in the community, and is usually provided in the context of home-based care. Crisis intervention programs comprise teams of specialist staff who often provide 24-hour availability of support. This may be a mobile treatment, a dedicated unit based in a hospital or day centre, or a residential.

What is the evidence for crisis interventions?

Moderate to low quality evidence finds improved overall symptoms and social adjustment by 20 months (but not 12 months), more sociable behavior and less agitation and disorientation by 4-6 months, less family burden and disruption by 3 months (but not 6 months), and more patient and relative overall satisfaction.

September 2020

Last updated at: 3:05 am, 11th September 2020
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