Week 8: Crisis Counseling and Referral (PC170)

This course prepares students to understand the pastoral care responsibilities associated with emergencies, traumatic events, and personal crises. Students examine appropriate responses to individuals experiencing immediate distress, including recognizing suicide risk and other safety concerns. Emphasis is placed on safety-focused responses, understanding when emergency assistance is necessary, developing referral relationships, and connecting individuals with qualified mental health, medical, and community resources. Students learn that crisis intervention and clinical treatment must be handled by appropriately qualified professionals.