What does 'crisis intervention' entail in an information and referral context?

In the context of information and referral services, 'crisis intervention' refers to the process of assessing immediate needs and providing emergency resources to individuals in distress. This approach is essential for addressing situations where a person may be facing an urgent or critical situation, such as a mental health crisis, domestic violence, homelessness, or other emergencies that require prompt assistance.

During a crisis, individuals often require immediate support to stabilize their situation and to help them access the necessary resources, such as shelter, food, medical care, or mental health services. The process involves quickly identifying the specific needs of the individual and connecting them with appropriate services or support systems that can provide immediate help. This is different from long-term solutions, such as counseling services or educational workshops, which are not designed to address the immediate issues that someone in crisis faces.

Crisis intervention is about swift action and support, focusing on short-term solutions that can help individuals navigate their immediate challenges, thereby preventing the situation from worsening.