For Coaches and Staff
Is it an Emergency or a Crisis?
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Emergency
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Crisis
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Problem
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Needs a Response
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Immediately
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Today
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In the upcoming days
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Physical Safety/Risk of Harm
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Imminent Danger
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High Risk
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Low to Moderate Risk
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Behavior Change
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Sudden/Dramatic
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Noticeable Change
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Gradual Change
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Coping Option & Level of Hope
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Very limited/None
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Limited
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Mild
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Action
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Respond/Refer Immediately.
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Get in contact with a mental health provider
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Follow non-emergent referral processes
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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
