Vision
The development of a 24 hour Crisis Care Program that offers citizens the possibility of access to professional services that provide psycho-social support and guidance when faced with a crisis.
Mission
To implement a 24 hour structure to crisis care whereby the community benefits from round the clock support and guidance for persons needing crisis assistance
Crisis Care is best defined as a therapeutic intervention for persons going through crisis situations. A crisis situation can be wide ranging; however, some examples of persons in crisis situations are as follows:
- Persons who have exhausted their coping skills, self-esteem, social support and power
- Persons making suicidal threats or experiencing threats
- Persons who experienced personal loss
- Witnesses to suicide or homicide
- Persons who were the victims of violent crimes
Crisis care is offered to the community on a 24 hour basis seven days a week. This care comes within the time frame of 24 to 72 hours after emergency health care or assistance by the police.
The crisis care is offered in two steps:
- Step 1. Therapeutic help
- Step 2. Development of a plan to offer individualized care
The Department of Social Services works with various stakeholders to make this service a possibility for the community.
Who are the stakeholders or crisis care team?
The Department of Social Services who is responsible for the execution of services related to crisis care such as medical, financial and legal aid as well as counseling and other crisis care provisions
The Police Department and Emergency Services such as Ambulance and Fire Brigade who offer assistance to the public in emergency situations
First Line Instances are professionals such as doctors and nurses who come into contact with persons needing crisis care
Intramural and Extramural Services such as specialized medical care, drug rehabilitation treatment and psycho therapy.