A crisis occurs when an individual feels overwhelmed by events. The crisis may be precipitated by events which bring about sudden change to the person’s environment – eg, bereavement, redundancy or childbirth. It may also be linked to factors unrelated to any mental health issues such as the illness of a carer, which in turn precipitates a crisis requiring intervention. Usual coping mechanisms fail and new strategies may be tried but, if these also fail, an increasing state of anxiety and poor morale develops. Maladaptive coping strategies, such as substance abuse, deliberate self-harm or violent behavior, may also be applied. Further escalation leads to a state of decompensation in which normal psychological functioning breaks down, most commonly causing panic attacks and disabling anxiety, suicidal intent or psychosis.
Crisis therapy aims to intervene as soon as possible after the onset of the crisis in order to enable the individual to overcome it, minimise the usage of maladaptive coping strategies and avoid complete psychological breakdown. It is a short-term intervention, which may require intensive involvement of the therapist with the patient and sometimes also members of their family.
Contact Sitota Crisis Intervention center by calling +251113692818
Sitota Crisis Intervention center provides 24-hour emergency services, information, referral, and triage for outpatient services for the City of Addis Ababa. Crisis clinicians will be available to discuss and respond to service needs.
Qualified mental health professionals are on-duty 24-hours/7-days a week by telephone and by mobile outreach to assist persons seeking access to services for treatment of mental health, substance abuse, and intellectual disabilities.
Crisis intervention staff additionally provide consultation, information, and referral to behavioral healthcare partners in the City of Addis Ababa.