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CRISIS INTERVENTION 

 

Crisis intervention is an immediate and short-term emergency response to emotional, physical, mental, and behavioral distress. The Crisis Intervention Program serves to help families in their time of crisis and reduce the potential for permanent distress or trauma.

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Why might families we serve need crisis intervention?

• Prior to being resettled, refugees may face a wide variety of traumatic events. They may witness destruction, observe violent acts perpetrated against loved ones, and endure torture and persecution. Most have lost their homes, livelihoods, many of their possessions, and even loved ones. Although a large number of the refugees adjust well, it takes years to get there. Many continue to suffer significant psychological distress as a result of the hardships endured.

• In addition to the hardships endured prior to being resettled, refugees and immigrants have to learn how to acclimate to their new lives in the U.S. Although resettlement agencies play a vital role in this process, it is a temporary one usually lasting 3-6 months. The families are then left to fend for themselves, with minimal language fluency and cultural adaptation. Many struggle to maintain employment, assist their children with schooling, or adapt to their new lives.

• The lack of language fluency, coupled with the financial struggles that families have makes it even harder when a family suddenly loses a loved one, has to deal with long term illness, is faced with an eviction notice, or can’t pay the bills.

• Ethaar strives to help these families in their times of crisis by addressing their immediate and evolving needs including emergent health issues, funeral arrangements, psychiatry evaluations, translation services, and financial assistance.