Fowler Technical Effectiveness Scale Fowler, D.E., McGee, R.K. (1973) Assessing the performance of telephone crisis workers: The development of a Technical Effectiveness Scale. In D. Lester & G.W. Brockopp (Eds.). Crisis Intervention and Counseling by Telephone. Springfield: Charles C. Thomas, 1973. Question Criteria 1. Can the caller be immediately reconnected? In order to answer…
Methods of Evaluating Helplines and Hotlines
There are a number of methods in place to evaluate helplines and hotlines for the purposes of obtaining grants or other funding as well as demonstrating their effectiveness to their stakeholders (volunteers, clients/callers and staff). Some of these approaches are discussed here, along with their benefits and drawbacks. Most organizations will not find one method…
Documenting a Suicide Risk Assessment
It is very important that when performing a suicide risk assessment in a clinical or professional context (whether a therapist, crisis or mental health worker, teacher, etc.), that you adequately document exactly what happened and what you did in response. A good suicide risk assessment form will assist you in documenting what the suicidal person…
Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM)
Counseling on Access to Lethal Means, or CALM is a course originally developed by Harvard Public Health that is now available in an online format through the Suicide Prevention Resource Centre. It is a 90 to 120 minute course designed for counsellors, therapists, crisis workers and others who work directly with suicidal persons, and makes…
CPR Model of Suicide Risk Assessment
NOTE: While this assessment is still very useful, I have changed my recommendation for a comprehensive suicide risk assessment to the DCIB Suicide Risk Assessment. You can see a video of this post here. Suicide Risk Assessment with CPR Model The CPR Model is a simple and effective model for suicide risk assessment. It is…