WHAT IS CRISIS?

In mental health terms, a crisis refers not necessarily to a traumatic situation or event, but to a person’s reaction to an event. One person might be deeply affected by an event, while another individual suffers little or no ill effects. The Chinese word for crisis presents a good depiction of the components of a crisis. The word crisis in Chinese is formed with the characters for danger and opportunity. A crisis presents an obstacle, trauma, or threat, but it also presents an opportunity for either growth or decline.

Question: What Is a Crisis?

Answer: In mental health terms, a crisis refers not necessarily to a traumatic situation or event, but to a person’s reaction to an event. One person might be deeply affected by an event, while another individual suffers little or no ill effects. The Chinese word for crisis presents a good depiction of the components of a crisis. The word crisis in Chinese is formed with the characters for danger and opportunity.

A crisis presents an obstacle, trauma, or threat, but it also presents an opportunity for either growth or decline.

We often think of a crisis as a sudden unexpected disaster, such as a car accident, natural disaster, or other cataclysmic event. However, crises can range substantially in type and severity. Sometimes a crisis is a predictable part of the life cycle, such as the crises described in Erikson’s Stages of Psychosocial Development. Situational crises are sudden and unexpected, such as accidents and natural disasters. Existential crises are inner conflicts related to things such as life purpose, direction, and spirituality.

The purpose of crisis counseling is to deal with the current status of the individual dealing with a crisis. Chronic exposure to stress or trauma can lead to mental illness, so it is important that crisis counselors have the skills and knowledge to help clients cope with current stressors and trauma. Crisis counseling is not intended to provide psychotherapy, but instead to offer short-term intervention to help clients receive assistance, support, resources, and stabilization.

Resources for Crisis Situations:

LifeLine Shanghai
LifeLine Shanghai provides free, confidential, and anonymous emotional support via the telephone from 10am to 10pm, 365 days a year.
Phone: (021) 6279-8990
http://www.lifeline-shanghai.com/

United Family Healthcare
United Family Healthcare is an international healthcare organization, which provides comprehensive, integrated healthcare services.
Emergency Tel: (021) 2216 3999
http://shanghai.ufh.com.cn/en/

Shanghai Mental Health center
Shanghai Mental Health center is a mental health clinic, which offers prevention as well as psychological counseling.
Phone out-patient: (021)6438 7250
http://www.smhc.org.cn/

Shanghai Red Cross
Hotline: (021)52120999
http://www.redcross-sha.org/ENGhome.aspx

American Red Cros
http://www.redcross.org/

Foreign consulates in Shanghai
http://www.warriortours.com/cityguides/shanghai/foreign_consulates.htm

For Australian citizens:
Consular emergency center: +61 26261 3305

For Canadian citizens:
Consular Enquiries:Tel.(021)3279-2800 After Hours Emergency contact Toll-free from Shanghai: 10 800 140 0125 Or call collect: (613)996-8885/(613)944-1310 TTY)

Resources for information and advice:

Crisis Response Box – Partnering for safe schools
www.cde.ca.gov/ls/ss/cp/documents/crisisrespbox.pdf