Psychosoziale Akutintervention: Vom fremdinitiierten Kontaktangebot zur hilfreichen Hilfe

Abstract

Traumatic events usually immediately trigger acute crises in those affected. In situations where the police are unexpectedly at the door with the news of a death and the relatives are in an overwhelmingly stressful situation, it does not seem reasonable to wait for the explicit wish of the affected person before offering help. Early psychosocial support after acute trauma—if possible, immediately after the event—can reduce the risk of developing trauma sequelae later on. However, the question arises whether explicit consent can be obtained in an acute situation.

This practice analysis highlight the conflicting areas of externally initiated contact, in connection with the essential question of “helpful help“ and the resulting professional attitude. By examining certain topics—the definition and framework conditions of psychosocial acute intervention, the complexity of decisions, psycho-traumatology, the factors of outreach, low-threshold social work and the criteria of competent assistance—it is intended to show ways to prevent both extremes: namely, that on the one hand needed help does not arrive or that on the other hand psychosocial support is imposed.

Keywords: psychosocial acute intervention, psycho-traumatology, low-threshold social work, professional attitude