Coaches and Staff - Emergency vs Crisis
For Coaches and Staff
Is it an Emergency or a Crisis?
|
Emergency |
Crisis |
Problem |
|
|
Needs a Response |
Immediately |
Today |
In the upcoming days |
|
Physical Safety/Risk of Harm |
Imminent Danger |
High Risk |
Low to Moderate Risk |
|
Behavior Change |
Sudden/Dramatic |
Noticeable Change |
Gradual Change |
|
Coping Option & Level of Hope |
Very limited/None |
Limited |
Mild |
|
Action |
Respond/Refer Immediately. |
Get in contact with a mental health provider |
Follow non-emergent referral processes |
Emergency
An emergency is a sudden necessity, such as with a life is in danger and requires immediate attention by professionals trained to respond to life-threatening events.
Examples Include:
- Suicidal or homicidal ideation
- Highly agitated or threatening behavior
- Acute psychosis (sometimes involving hallucinations and/or delusions)
- Sexual or physical assault
- Extreme intoxication/drug overdose
Crisis
A crisis is a disruption in a stable mental state that might cause a breakdown in a person's normal or usual way of functioning. Generally these disruptions are sudden/acute, but occasionally they can occur gradually. In a crisis, the circumstances and situations can not be resolved by one's normal problem-solving resources. If you feel the situation can wait 24-72 hours for a response, without placing the individual or anyone one else in jeopardy, it is a crisis and not an emergency.
Examples Include:
- A significant loss or death impacting the athlete
- An increase in mood swings or agitation
- An increase in isolation
- Increased substance use or abuse
- Incorrectly taking ones' medication
- Non-life threatening self harm or maladaptive coping mechanisms
- Academic concerns
