Different crisis scenarios require different ways of handling scenarios. In handling a crisis situation one has to consider both internal and external factors that contribute to that situation (James, 2008). This paper looks at the two case studies of an immediate widow and a stressed folk in the streets. In analyzing these two situations I have tried to look at the underlying aspects as well as the immediate aspects that can be seen from the behaviors of the victims.
In dealing with the given crisis situation, the strategy to be used will depend on the nature of the situation and the implication of the actions involved in the particular strategy (James, 2008).
Case one
For this case, we must be content with the fact that when one loses a close friend, relative, or a person who had a lot of impact in their life one will be faced with grief and sorrow (Kinchin & Turnbull, 2007). In this case for that matter, the woman has lost her husband who happens to have committed suicide. This is definitely the trigger of her sorrows. However, this may just be the tip of the iceberg as there may be another underlying factor other than just losing a husband.
In the bid to handle her situation and save her from the distraught situation, I would have to get some information surrounding her life and that of the husband who has passed on. I will get this information by first questioning her and by also trying to find out from close friends and relatives. I would also try to find out the real cause for the decision that her husband took- that of committing suicide.
For this case, the intervention has to do with saving the woman from her distraught state. My actions, I will therefore be guided by the answers or the information I have acquired from the victim and other related person (Kinchin & Turnbull, 2007). Considering the possibilities of the husband had for example lost a lot of money which made him to get into shock due to disbelief or even if its resentment, I would definitely know that the woman is distraught by the aspect of companionship and the role that the husband used to play in the family (Figley, 2005).
For the case of companionship, I would engage a widow and bring her to talk to the woman. This is in a bid to console her and make her accept her situation and know that she can still make it in life. The fact the woman is widowed will call for consolation since she will have found a friend with whom they share a challenge which to her is not that easy to overcome (Figley, 2005).
Considering the role the widow should play, she should be one with high self-esteem and one who has accepted her situation and is positive enough and moving on with life. This consolation would be mainly to deal with the psychology part. One can only live positively if their conscience is on a positive note (Kinchin & Turnbull, 2007).
It is also possible that the woman could be in a distraught situation due to the reflection on the responsibilities that she has been left with over running the family affairs. The thought of the financial implication especially if the husband was a breadwinner for the family, could be very painful (Figley, 2005). For this case, I would marshal up financial support from friends, relatives, and well-wishers. This will come in as a way of a funds drive. This is easier to do as the other parties will consider the fact that she is actually in dire need of support. After this, I will be able to talk to her and encourage her to go on with life since her worries would have been sorted out though she has to be content with the fact that she has lost a husband.
Case two
For this case the converse brought out by the person being referred to is very important. The person is running in the streets with unkempt hair which I would definitely hypothesize as either stress-related or the influence of drugs. In handling this case I would try to actually find out if my hypothesis is right or wrong.
For this case, I would first listen to what that person has to say (Brailsford, 2007). Out of this, I would definitely get to hear his converse on UFOs coming to take him. If he is talking about UFOs but not in reference to anything or person then I would definitely conclude that the person is a serious mental case. If the person is talking about UFOs but in reference to a particular thing or person then I would conclude that the person has been hurt by what he mentioned. I would only conclude this way if he mentions the person repeatedly and not just once.
On assessing and finding out that the person is not a mental case I would not continue interrogating him over the UFOs instead I would organize for people, let’s say five, to come and help in getting him to the nearby Health Centre. This is considering the fact that the person is likely to be violent (Brailsford, 2007). I would propose to the doctors to put him under suppressers so as to deal with the violence aspect (Greenstone & Leviton, 2004).
Assuming that the person was under the influence of drugs it would be easier to deal with them when they are sober (Greenstone & Leviton, 2004). After several hours, the effects of the drugs would be low hence the person would be in a state of sound mind. In order to help the person avoid such situation or a repeat of such scenario I would now talk to the person. I would tell them of the effects of the drugs and the reasons why they shouldn’t get involved in drug abuse. This is in a bid to persuade them to do away with drug use.
In the conversation between him and me, I would also be keen in listening to his part of the story. This would be in way of trying to find out the push factors for his involvement in drug abuse. For instance if the push factors comes in due to the feeling of denial would try to engage the close relatives of the person so as to help iron out the issue. In making my last move to save the person I would refer the person to a psychiatrist who will be able to talk to the person and ensure that the remaining minor factors for his behavior are brought out and dealt with accordingly. Assuming that the person is a mental case, dealing with such would be a lot easier. Since people with mental disabilities are prone to destructive activities it would only be prudent if such persons are confined or their movement restricted. However, I would organize a few people to take the person to a health centre for check up (Greenstone & Leviton, 2004). This is in bid to actually confirm that indeed he is a mental case. Such a person would then be moved to a confined area.
References
Brailsford, P. D. (2007). A practical approach to trauma: empowering interventions. Los Angeles, L.A: Sage Publications.
Figley, C.R. (2005). Trauma and its Wake: The study of post traumatic stress disorder. Los Angeles, LA: Psychology Press.
Greenstone, J.L. & Leviton, S. (2004). Elements of crisis intervention: crises and how to respond to them. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole-Thompson Learning.
James, R.K. (2008). Crisis intervention strategies. New York, NY: Cengage Learning.
Kinchin, D. & Turnbull, G. (2007). A guide to psychological debriefing: managing emotional decompression and post traumatic stress disorder. Philadelphia, PA: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.