Running head: CRISIS: MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES 1

Crisis: Mental Health Services

Lauren Neff and Abby Dalling

Brigham Young University Idaho

Nursing 323 Section: 02

Brother Butikofer

February 16, 2017

CRISIS: MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES 2

Crisis: Mental Health Services

Crisis events are unavoidable. The aftermath can be disastrous for all those involved.

Survivors, rescuers, families, and others can be effected and need help to revert back to their pre-

crisis level of functioning. There are many options for mental health services available including

cognitive therapy, group therapy, medications and many more.

Cognitive therapy focuses on changing the victims perspective of the event. The

National Center for PTSD explains it well by saying the goal is help the victim understand how

the thoughts of the traumatic incident cause stress and can further aggravate the symptoms. The

goal for this type of therapy is to help those involved lose feelings of guilt and to understand that

the consequences of the traumatic event wasnt their fault (PTSD, 2007).

Group therapy is a way for individuals to talk with those who have had similar

experiences. Opening up to a group makes it easier for individuals to cope with their current

circumstance. Building relationships, proving support, promoting social skills, and potentially

propelling the victim towards pre-crisis level of function are just some of the advantages of

group therapy (Orenstein, 2015).

Medication management can also be a very straight forward way of treating patients.

During times of difficulty, medications may be available to help the patient cope easier.

Depression and anxiety are some of the expected diagnosis with crisis patients. There are many

medications to help with these diagnoses such as antidepressants, anti-anxiety, and prazosins.

These can help relieve symptoms as well as help with insomnia and concentration (Mayo, 2017).

All of these services are examples of sources available to victims of crisis. For some,

help is not received. It is imperative for these people to have the knowledge of emergency help

available. This includes Crisis Centers and of course, 911.

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References

Mayo Clinic Staff Print, M. (2017, February 18). Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Retrieved February 21, 2017, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/post-

traumatic-stress-disorder/diagnosis-treatment/treatment/ptc-20308558

Orenstein, B. W. (2014, November 25). 6 Benefits of Group Therapy for Mental Health

Treatment. Retrieved February 16, 2017, from

http://www.everydayhealth.com/news/benefits-group-therapy-mental-health-treatment/

PTSD: National Center for PTSD. (2007, January 01). Retrieved February 16, 2017, from

http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/treatment/therapy-med/treatment-ptsd.asp