History of Crisis Intervention

Cocoanut Grove Fire

Nov 28, 1942

Eric Lindermann studied victims and families impacted by the Cocoanut Grove Fire. He studied the grief reactions that were taking place due to families and victims losing loved ones, or being injured.

First community mental health program

1944

Eric Lindermann introduced the first major community mental health program that focused on crisis prevention

Congress established the Joint Committee on Mental Illness and Health

1955

The goal of the Community Mental Health Act of 1963 was that by 1980 there would be one community mental health center per 100,000 individuals.

Community mental health act of 1965

1963

President Kennedy proposed a new national mental health program

7 characteristics of effective coping behavior

1964

Caplan discovered certain people were able to cope with situations better than others

More careers in mental health field

1970

Growing anti-medical attitude in mental health centers. Increase in numbers of psychologists, and nurses in mental health

Publication of professional journals related to suicide prevention

1970

Journals such as Crisis Intervention and Journal of Life-Threatening Behavior were published specifically dealing with crisis topics.

Community mental health programs come under government scrutiny

1990

Managed care takeover of the medical field, including mental health