SAC Crisis Intervention & Prevention 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which model of crisis intervention focuses on helping individuals restore functioning to at least the pre-crisis level through a structured, time-limited approach?
- The Equilibrium Model (Correct answer)
- The Cognitive Model
- The Psychosocial Transition Model
- The Ecological Systems Model
Correct answer: The Equilibrium Model
The Equilibrium Model (Caplan, 1964) aims to restore the individual's psychological balance to the pre-crisis or higher level of functioning through brief, focused intervention.
Question 2: A student tells a SAC counselor they are having thoughts of suicide but have no plan or means. What is the FIRST priority action?
- Notify the student's parents immediately
- Conduct a thorough suicide risk assessment (Correct answer)
- Refer the student to an outside mental health provider
- Document the conversation and schedule a follow-up
Correct answer: Conduct a thorough suicide risk assessment
Conducting a thorough risk assessment is the first clinical step to determine lethality, intent, plan, and means before any other action.
Question 3: The Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) is primarily used in school settings to:
- Diagnose a student with major depressive disorder
- Screen and assess the severity of suicidal ideation and behavior (Correct answer)
- Determine if a student needs an IEP for emotional disturbance
- Evaluate a student's response to substance abuse treatment
Correct answer: Screen and assess the severity of suicidal ideation and behavior
The C-SSRS is a validated assessment tool used to screen for suicidal ideation and behavior and classify its severity, which informs intervention decisions.
Question 4: In the ACT (Acknowledge, Care, Tell) model for suicide prevention, what does the 'T' in ACT direct a peer or counselor to do?
- Talk to the student about healthy coping strategies
- Tell a trusted adult or authority about the concern (Correct answer)
- Test the student's level of emotional distress
- Terminate the conversation safely and professionally
Correct answer: Tell a trusted adult or authority about the concern
In the ACT model, 'Tell' means reporting the concern to a trusted adult, administrator, or counselor who can provide professional help.
Question 5: Which of the following best describes the concept of 'means restriction' in suicide prevention?
- Limiting a suicidal student's access to social media and the internet
- Reducing access to lethal methods such as firearms and medications (Correct answer)
- Restricting a student's movement within the school building
- Controlling which staff members have contact with at-risk students
Correct answer: Reducing access to lethal methods such as firearms and medications
Means restriction refers to reducing access to lethal means (e.g., firearms, medications) because the time between impulse and attempt is often short, and access to means greatly increases risk.
Question 6: After a suicide in a school community, which approach is recommended to prevent contagion (copycat suicides)?
- Holding a large memorial assembly to honor the deceased student
- Providing detailed public information about the method used
- Following safe messaging guidelines and providing targeted support (Correct answer)
- Closing the school for at least one week to allow for grief
Correct answer: Following safe messaging guidelines and providing targeted support
Safe messaging guidelines (avoiding detailed method descriptions and glorification) combined with targeted mental health support to vulnerable students is the evidence-based approach to reduce suicide contagion.
Question 7: A crisis intervention team (CIT) in a school setting is MOST effective when it:
- Is composed entirely of licensed mental health clinicians
- Has a pre-established plan, clear roles, and regular training before a crisis occurs (Correct answer)
- Responds to crises as they arise without a formal structure to remain flexible
- Limits its membership to administrators and school psychologists
Correct answer: Has a pre-established plan, clear roles, and regular training before a crisis occurs
Research shows that pre-established plans with clearly defined roles and regular training dramatically improve a team's effectiveness during an actual crisis.
SAC Crisis Intervention & Prevention 1
Which model of crisis intervention focuses on helping individuals restore functioning to at least the pre-crisis level through a structured, time-limited approach?