How can you spot a crisis in your peer support clients?

2 How to spot a crisis

While there is no definitive list of signs that indicate a person is in crisis, some common indicators you may notice in your peer support clients are changes in mood, such as increased anxiety or sadness; changes in behavior, such as withdrawal or aggression; changes in communication, such as expressing suicidal thoughts or confusion; changes in appearance, like neglecting personal hygiene; and changes in functioning, like losing interest in activities or missing appointments. Each individual may react differently to a crisis, so it's important to be aware of these potential signals.

3 How to respond to a crisis

If you suspect that your peer support client is in crisis, the first thing you need to do is to assess the level of risk and urgency. If it is an emergency, call 911 or the local emergency services and stay with them until help arrives. If the situation is less urgent, but still serious, contact their mental health provider, family member, or other trusted person who can assist them. For a manageable situation, establish rapport and trust through active listening skills such as reflecting, paraphrasing, and summarizing. Validate their feelings and experiences by acknowledging their emotions, expressing empathy, and avoiding judgment. Explore their options and resources by asking open-ended questions, offering information, and suggesting alternatives. Empower them to take action by helping them set realistic goals, identify strengths, and make decisions. Finally, follow up and monitor their progress by checking in regularly, providing feedback, and celebrating achievements.

4 How to take care of yourself

As a peer supporter, it is essential to practice self-care due to the potential of stress, burnout, or vicarious trauma that can be experienced when working with clients in crisis. Setting boundaries and limits by defining your role, scope, and availability is a great way to start. Additionally, seeking supervision and support from your supervisor, peers, or mentors can be helpful. It is also important to manage your emotions and reactions by expressing your feelings, coping with stress, and seeking help when needed. Lastly, engaging in physical, mental, social, and spiritual activities that nourish you can help you maintain your wellness and balance.

5 How to improve your skills

As a peer supporter, you can always strive for improvement by seeking opportunities for learning and growth. This could include attending trainings and workshops on crisis intervention, mental health, substance use, trauma, and other relevant topics. Additionally, reading books, articles, blogs, and podcasts on peer support and wellness can help you gain more knowledge. Joining online or offline communities and networks of peer supporters and advocates is another great way to stay up to date on the latest developments in the field. Seeking feedback and evaluation from your clients, supervisor, and peers can help you gain valuable insights into your practice. Lastly, it's important to take time to reflect on your practice and identify your strengths and areas for improvement.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?