Institutions: Tips For a Better Crisis Intervention Plan
Unfortunately, this year has seen a concerning number of school shootings, student suicides, and natural disasters, with over 400 incidents. It raises the question of how schools respond to and manage these crises. Are their crisis intervention plans well-prepared and up-to-date? This blog post will explore three crucial tips schools should know to improve their crisis intervention plans.
School-Based Crisis Intervention Tips
Structured Crisis Intervention Plan
The importance having a well-structured crisis intervention plan is crucial. This plan should outline step-by-step procedures for different crises, including how to identify and assess the crises, whom to contact, and how to provide immediate responses to those affected. This plan acts like a roadmap for school staff, guiding them through the specific steps to handle school crises effectively.
A school-based crisis intervention plan should include the following:
- Clear Protocols for Different Crises: The plan should outline specific protocols for different crises, such as natural disasters, school violence, medical emergencies, or community-related incidents. Each type of crisis may require different responses, so having clear procedures for each situation is crucial.
- Roles and Responsibilities: The crisis response plan should define the roles and responsibilities of different staff members during a crisis. Everyone must know what to do and who to communicate with to ensure an efficient response.
- Communication Procedures: Good communication is a critical element of crisis response. The plan should specify how the information will be communicated to all stakeholders, including staff, students, parents, and the community. It should include protocols for notifying parents and guardians, updating the school website, and using social media and other channels as necessary.
Mental Health Resources
When a crisis happens in a school setting, it can affect students and staff members differently. Some may experience fear, anxiety, sadness, or confusion, while others may struggle with feelings of PTSD or guilt. All these emotions can interrupt the learning environment and lead to long-term consequences if not treated correctly and on time. Access to mental health professionals, counselors, and platforms is as essential as having a well-structured crisis intervention plan.
These professionals have an essential role in supporting students, teachers, and staff members during times of crisis. When crises occur in a school setting, mental health professionals can provide immediate and targeted help to those affected, helping them navigate their emotions and return to school-environment normality.
Schools should make sure to provide mental health resources like:
- School counselors
- Mental health platforms like TadHealth
- Mental health professionals (psychologists, therapists, school nurses - etc.)
Plan Review and Updates
Schools need to review and update their crisis response plan regularly. This means looking at the plan occasionally to ensure it's still helpful and works well for the school. By doing these reviews, schools can ensure that the crisis intervention plan stays up-to-date and continues to be beneficial in different situations.
Sometimes, schools might have new buildings or more staff, so the plan should consider these changes. Also, the school community's needs can change over time, and the plan must adapt to meet those needs.
Three steps for keeping an updated crisis intervention plan:
- Revisit and update every quarter
- Share crisis intervention plans with new staff members and teachers
- After experiencing crises, implement strategies that worked well and remove the ones that didn't
In times of crisis, having a well-prepared crisis intervention plan is critical for schools to respond appropriately and support students, teachers, and staff. Schools can create a safer and more supportive environment for everyone by following these three crucial aspects of crisis intervention plans. Also, with the help of mental health platforms like TadHealth, schools can rely on and make mental health support accessible to everyone.
By Denia Villegas
