[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Nursing](https://durgical.com/en/nursing/) › [Mental health and psychiatric nursing](https://durgical.com/en/nursing/areas/mental-health/) › Crisis intervention: the phases and the nurse's role # Crisis intervention: the phases and the nurse's role - Safe practice A crisis is a short period when usual coping fails; the nurse assesses safety and resources and helps the person return to their previous level of functioning. Updated Nov 13, 2026 ## Key points - Three types: maturational, situational and social (adventitious). - Four phases: 1 normal stress, 2 rising anxiety, 3 severe anxiety, 4 crisis. - Goals: identify, assess and intervene; return to the previous level of functioning; protect future mental health. - A crisis is time-limited: days, no longer than four to six weeks. - Suicide risk is always a priority in a mental-health crisis. - Resolution depends on a realistic view of the event, enough support and adequate coping. ## What it is A crisis is an acute loss of balance in which a person's usual ways of coping fail, with distress and loss of function. It can be maturational (developmental, such as the birth of a child), situational (an unexpected event such as illness, job loss or divorce) or social (disasters, war, violent crime). It develops in four phases: normal stress, rising anxiety, severe anxiety and crisis. A crisis is time-limited, usually days and no longer than four to six weeks. Crisis intervention aims to identify, assess and intervene, return the person to their previous level of functioning as soon as possible and lessen the impact on future mental health. In Colombia, Ley 1616 de 2013 asks that health teams be trained in crisis intervention and psychological first aid. ## What it requires - A quick assessment of safety (self-harm, harm to others), the stressor, the phase and resources. - Active, directive help focused on the present problem. - Mobilising the person's support network and community resources. - Knowing the local crisis services and when to call emergency services. ## Components - Phase 1–2: encourage the person to talk, empathic questions, shared problem-solving, calm body language. - Phase 3: more protection for staff and others, firm and respectful limits, help nearby. - Phase 4: give space, do not argue, seek help and keep everyone safe. - Afterwards: new coping skills, follow-up and referral. ## How it is applied (and why) - Assess safety first, including suicide and violence: risk to life changes every other step. - Explore what happened and what it means to the person: the same event does not cause a crisis in everyone. - Identify the phase from the signs (anxiety, confusion, anger, withdrawal, hopelessness): each phase needs a different approach. - In early phases, listen, validate and solve problems together: it restores a sense of control. - Ask how they coped with past difficulties and what helped: it uses the person's own strengths. - Mobilise support: family, friends, community and health services: social support helps resolve a crisis. - If anxiety rises, set clear and respectful limits and have help nearby: the capacity to reason falls. - Agree on concrete next steps and follow-up, and give crisis contacts: the crisis is brief but needs continuity. ## In nursing practice - Crises often follow a new serious diagnosis: the family may also be in crisis. - Signs that a mental-health crisis is developing: unable to manage daily care, rapid mood swings, threats, self-harm, isolation, loss of contact with reality. - A clustering of stressors can tip someone into crisis even if each one seems small. - In phase 4 the person may be a danger to self or others: safety measures follow the protocol. ## Common mistakes - Jumping to solutions before understanding what the event means to the person. - False reassurance («everything will be fine»). - Not asking about suicide during a crisis. - Ending the contact without a follow-up plan or crisis contacts. ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## What are the three types of crisis? Maturational or developmental (expected life transitions), situational (unexpected personal events) and social or adventitious (disasters, war, violent crime). ## What are the goals of crisis intervention? Identify, assess and intervene; return the person to their previous level of functioning as soon as possible; and reduce the negative impact on future mental health. ## How long does a crisis usually last? It is time-limited: usually several days and no longer than four to six weeks. ## What should the nurse do when a person reaches phase 4 of a crisis? Give them space so they do not feel trapped, avoid arguing, seek help and take measures to keep the person and others safe, following the protocol. [Add to my cards (4)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/nursing/crisis-intervention-the-phases-and-the-nurse-s-role/) ## Elsewhere in DurgiPedia - [Crisis intervention and supportive psychotherapy](https://durgical.com/en/behavioral-science/crisis-intervention-and-supportive-psychotherapy/) - [Coping and resilience](https://durgical.com/en/behavioral-science/coping-and-resilience/) - [Stress: the general adaptation syndrome and allostatic load](https://durgical.com/en/behavioral-science/stress-the-general-adaptation-syndrome-and-allostatic-load/) ## Connections ## Related 2 - [Suicide risk: screening, a safety plan, observation levels and a safe environment](https://durgical.com/en/nursing/suicide-risk-screening-a-safety-plan-observation-levels-and-a-safe-environment/) - [Trauma-informed care and nursing for PTSD and acute stress](https://durgical.com/en/nursing/trauma-informed-care-and-nursing-for-ptsd-and-acute-stress/) ## Related conditions 1 - [Adjustment disorder](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/adjustment-disorder/) [← All of nursing](https://durgical.com/en/nursing/) Educational content for students; it does not replace your institution's protocols, supervised clinical training or a prescriber's order. Dose-calculation examples use made-up numbers: they are educational, not a clinical order. Sources: [Nursing: Mental Health and Community Concepts, 3.5: Crisis and crisis intervention](https://med.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Nursing/Nursing%3A_Mental_Health_and_Community_Concepts_(OpenRN)/03%3A_Stress_Coping_and_Crisis_Intervention/3.05%3A_Crisis_and_Crisis_Intervention) (Open RN, Wisconsin Technical College System (CC BY 4.0), LibreTexts, 2022); [Nursing: Mental Health and Community Concepts, 1.6: Establishing safety](https://med.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Nursing/Nursing%3A_Mental_Health_and_Community_Concepts_(OpenRN)/01%3A_Foundational_Mental_Health_Concepts/1.06%3A_Establishing_Safety) (Open RN, Wisconsin Technical College System (CC BY 4.0), LibreTexts, 2022); [Ley 1616 de 2013, arts. 11 y 22 (primeros auxilios psicológicos e intervención en crisis)](https://www.secretariasenado.gov.co/senado/basedoc/ley_1616_2013.html) (Secretaría General del Senado de la República de Colombia, 2013). ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/nursing/crisis-intervention-the-phases-and-the-nurse-s-role/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/nursing/crisis-intervention-the-phases-and-the-nurse-s-role/