Holistic crisis planning​

Engaging youth and families in crisis planning

These videos for service providers demonstrate counterproductive and productive approaches to engaging youth and families in crisis and safety planning. You'll see re-enactments in three different settings where youth and families may go to receive support for a mental health issue:  a school guidance counsellor's office, a hospital emergency room and a children's mental health agency.

Counterproductive approaches include giving advice or making statements that disengage the youth or family and create mistrust. These ineffective approaches may even increase the risk of harm, for example, if the youth or family does not return for services or does not follow the crisis plan.

Productive approaches build trust and engagement between the service provider and the youth and family. They focus on the family's strenths and reduce harm by creating an authentic plan with realistic actions.

Holistic crisis planning: School guidance counsellor's office

Watch a demonstration of a counterproductive approach to crisis planning in a school guidance counsellor's office, followed by a productive approach.

Holistic crisis planning: Emergency department

Watch a demonstration of a counterproductive approach to crisis planning in an emergency department, followed by a productive approach.

Holistic crisis planning: Children's mental health agency

Watch a demonstration of a counterproductive approach to crisis planning in a children's mental health agency, followed by a productive approach.