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Part 2: CPI De-Escalation Tips

Hey Y'all,

I've been focusing a lot on aggressive and violent behavior, as well as exploring strategies to navigate mental health crises, should you find yourself locked in one.

These types of situations can emerge quite unexpectedly, and there aren't official protocols or a magic formula for preventing these high-stress events from happening.

There are, however, constructive, positive and humane ways to respond and handle these behaviors.

These de-escalation tips from CPI are about support not suppression and about seeing each other with the compassion that each of us want to be seen with.




10 Ways to De-escalate High Stress Situations

-Be Empathic and Nonjudgemental-

Don't judge or be dismissive of the feelings of the person or people in distress. Remember that their feelings are real, whether or not you think they're justified or not. Respect those feelings, keeping in mind that whatever the person is going through could be the most important event in their life at that very moment.


-Respect Personal Space-

Be aware of your position, posture, and proximity when interacting with a person in distress. Allowing personal space shows respect, keeps you safer, and tends to decrease a person's anxiety. If you must enter someone's personal space to provide care, make sure to explain what you're doing so the person feels less confused, frightened, or upset.


-Use Nonthreatening Nonverbals-

The more a person is in distress, the less they hear our words- and the more they react to our nonverbal communication. We need to be mindful of our gestures, facial expressions, movements, and tone of voice. Keeping our tone and body language neutral goes a long way towards defusing situations.


-Keep Your Emotional Brain In Check-

Remain calm, rational, and professional. While you can't control the person's behavior, how you respond to their behavior will have a direct effect on whether the situation escalates or defuses. Positive thoughts like, "I can handle this" will help you maintain your rationality and calm the person down.


-Focus on Feelings-

Facts are important, but how a person feels is the heart of the matter. Yet some people have trouble identifying how they feel about what's happening to them. Watch and listen carefully for the person's real message. Try saying something like "That must be scary." Supportive words like these will let the person know that you understand what's happening- and you may get a positive response.


-Ignore Challenging Questions-

Engaging with people who ask challenging questions is rarely productive. When a person challenges your authority, redirect their attempt to the issue at hand. Ignore the challenge, but not the person. Bring their focus back to how you can work together to solve the problem.


-Set Limits-

As a person progresses through a crisis, give them respectful, simple, and reasonable limits. Offer concise and respectful choices and consequences. A person who is upset may not be able to focus on everything you say. Be clear, speak simply, and offer the positive choice first.


-Choose Wisely What You Insist Upon-

It's important to be thoughtful in deciding which rules are negotiable and which are not. For example, if a person doesn't want to shower in the morning, can you allow them to choose the time of day that feels best for them? If you can offer a person options and flexibility, you may be able to avoid unnecessary altercations.


-Allow Silence for Reflection-

We've all experienced awkward silences. While it may seem counterintuitive to let moments of silence occur, sometimes it's the best choice. It can give a person a chance to reflect on what's happening, and how they need to proceed. Silence can be a powerful communication tool.


-Allow Time for Decisions-

When a person is upset, they may not be able to think clearly. Give them a few moments to think through what you've said. A person's stress rises when they feel rushed. Allowing time brings calm.


There's nothing pleasant about conflicts and aggressive behaviors.  

It happens though, and yet, having a toolkit with rational and constructive approaches to managing ourselves and understanding others' perspectives is essential to cultivating positive outcomes.

Absolutely essential...

Stay safe out there...

EM


References:

Crisis Prevention Institute. 2022. June. https://www.crisisprevention.com/Blog/CPI-s-Top-10-De-Escalation-Tips-Revisited

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Comments

  1. AnonymousFebruary 1, 2024 at 2:20 AM

    We can all be the better if we practice (at least attempt to)using these 10 de-escalation tips, especially during these times we ‘re living in today. Great advice 👍🏽

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Melting Pot CoachingApril 11, 2024 at 1:09 PM

      I agree! It's better to be prepared. Having a toolkit of de-escalation techniques is essential regardless of where you work and who you associate with.

      Delete

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