1. Families in Crisis

2. Bell Ringer  Can a family change? If yes, what factors may cause the change? If not, why not?

3. All families can/do experience change in some way  People move in and out of families all the time because of the natural life cycle.  Challenging situations and events can cause family change as well. How might they make us feel?

4. How can we feel when dealing with a crisis?   Close your eyes and stand on one leg. How do you feel? Do you feel in control? Sometimes when things happen we feel out of control and feel helpless.

5. Brainstorm Activity  Write a definition for the term CRISIS and provide two examples of a crisis. Be prepared to share.

6. Families in Crisis  Definition: Crisis: a radical change in a person’s life caused by a build-up of stress or by one emotionally significant event.  A crisis can be positive or negative by nature, and some crises can be anticipated and prepared for.

7. Causes of Crises 1.The Event (3 types) Demoralization: change in status up or down. Examples: winning lottery infidelityarrest loss of job

8. The Event Continued…  Deprivation: A natural loss such as fire or flood

9. The Event Continued…  Organizational Change: loss or addition of a family member. Examples:birthdeathdivorce

10. Factors = Crisis??? 2.The number of stressful events experienced at one time. 3.How the event is identified and interpreted. 4.The resources possessed by the family in order to survive: resiliency, support, time, money.

11. Can a Crisis Change Us?  Analogies: How do the following change when faced with “adverse” conditions?

12. Characteristics that make it Difficult to Adjust…. 1.Any event that causes a family loss: terminal illness or tragic accident 2.A stressful event that affects the whole family: relocation to a new area 3.An event that occurs suddenly: crashes, fire, strokes 4.An event that requires major adjustments: divorce, remarriages

13. How does this picture represent problems or crises in our lives?

14. Possible Answers  Sometimes a crisis may seem small at first but end up being way bigger than originally anticipated.  Some people only share a small portion of the problem(s) they are dealing with when actually there may be many.  Some people only share a little bit of the emotions they are experiencing when really they are hurting a lot more.  Some people are affected way more than they let on.

15. Family in Crisis Case Study  View: Gracie’s Choice & Complete the Video Guide & Follow-up Project