Special Issues in a Crisis Assessment
A
crisis assessment is briefer than a full diagnostic assessment but does cover the primary elements of a full diagnostic assessment.
A face-to-face interview must be conducted to determine immediate needs.
The following information should be acquired:
- the recipient's current life situation
- sources of stress
- mental health problems and symptoms and strengths
- cultural considerations
- support network
- vulnerabilities
- current functioning
If no previous diagnostic assessment has occurred, develop a tentative diagnosis.
The intent of a crisis assessment is to determine which symptoms of mental illness are interfering in the person’s usual level of functioning and if possible the triggers of these symptoms. This determination leads to the development of a crisis intervention to assist the recipient to return to their previous level of functioning.