Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario

Practice Consideration that Enhances Practice When Working with Adults Experiencing Crisis

  • Recognize and understand the impact of previous trauma on the person experiencing crisis.
  • Establish feelings of personal safety (physical safety as well as psychological safety).
  • Take the time to understand the person’s circumstances, needs, goals, and preferences for support.
  • View the person as a whole with multiple needs, and that crisis interventions are not limited to health-care services, but that they can address other concerns as well, such as social determinants of health.
  • Be respectful of the person and view them as a credible source of information.
  • Collaborate with the person and encourage active decision-making.
  • Use a resilience lens and strength-based approaches in all facets of interaction with person experiencing crisis.
  • Provide crisis management in the least restrictive manner. Avoid use of coercion and preserve the person’s connectedness to their world (i.e., the person is not isolated from their routine networks of support and is encouraged to make contact with outside professionals, family, and friends who can provide support.
Addiction and Mental Health
Crisis Intervention
Point of Care Resources