📝 Worksheet 7.5: Crisis Signals, Suicide Awareness, Violence Risk, and Escalation
📝 Worksheet 7.5: Crisis Signals, Suicide Awareness, Violence Risk, and Escalation
Purpose of This Worksheet
This worksheet helps you prepare for crisis moments in Reentry and Restoration Chaplaincy. Crisis care requires calm presence, truthful boundaries, quick discernment, and appropriate referral. You are not being trained to become a therapist, emergency responder, case manager, probation officer, or law enforcement substitute. You are being formed to serve as a steady Christian chaplain who knows when to listen, when to pray, when to involve help, and when not to stay alone.
Use this worksheet prayerfully and honestly. The goal is not fear. The goal is readiness.
Part 1: Key Concept Review
Complete the following statements.
A crisis signal may include words like:
“I can’t __________________ anymore.”
“Everybody would be better off __________________ me.”
“I’d rather be __________________ than go back inside.”
“If he comes near me, I know what I’ll __________________.”A Reentry and Restoration Chaplain should not promise absolute __________________ when life, abuse, violence, overdose, or serious danger may be involved.
Prayer in crisis should accompany wise __________________, not replace it.
The chaplain is a bridge to support, not the whole __________________ system.
The chaplain’s first crisis responsibility is to protect __________________ with dignity.
When danger is credible, the chaplain should activate the proper emergency __________________.
In reentry ministry, crisis pressure may be intensified by parole, probation, housing instability, family fracture, addiction struggle, shame, stigma, and fear of returning to __________________.
A person may sincerely pray to Jesus and still need emergency help, staff support, crisis care, medical attention, or safe __________________.
Crisis escalation is not betrayal when it is done to protect life, safety, and __________________.
A chaplain should debrief after a crisis with appropriate leadership for accountability, learning, and personal __________________.
Part 2: Personal Discernment
Reflect honestly.
1. My First Reaction
When I imagine someone saying, “I’d rather be dead than go back inside,” my first emotional reaction might be:
☐ fear
☐ sadness
☐ pressure to fix it
☐ desire to pray immediately
☐ uncertainty
☐ avoidance
☐ calm concern
☐ other: _______________________________
What does this reaction tell me about my need for preparation?
2. My Temptation Under Pressure
In a crisis moment, I might be tempted to:
☐ promise secrecy
☐ overpromise help
☐ preach too quickly
☐ avoid direct safety questions
☐ handle it alone
☐ panic
☐ minimize the warning signs
☐ make myself responsible for the outcome
☐ call for help appropriately
☐ other: _______________________________
What boundary or habit do I need to strengthen?
3. My View of Referral
When I refer someone to staff, emergency help, crisis support, a counselor, medical provider, or approved leader, I need to remember that referral is not abandonment because:
Part 3: Practice Phrases
Write or rehearse ministry-ready phrases you could use.
1. When someone says, “Please don’t tell anyone.”
Helpful phrase:
Example: “I want to honor your trust, but I cannot keep danger secret. I will share only what is needed with the people who need to help keep you safe.”
2. When someone says, “I can’t go back inside.”
Helpful phrase:
Example: “When you say that, are you thinking about hurting yourself or someone else?”
3. When someone says, “I might hurt him if he comes near me.”
Helpful phrase:
Example: “I hear how serious this feels. I cannot keep a possible threat hidden. We need to bring in the right help now.”
4. When someone asks, “Can you pray with me?”
Helpful phrase:
Example: “Yes, I can pray with you. And because your safety matters, we are also going to keep moving toward the right support.”
5. When someone says, “I prayed, so I’m fine now.”
Helpful phrase:
Example: “I am grateful you prayed. Let’s honor that prayer by taking the next safe step and connecting with support.”
Part 4: Boundary Check Scenarios
Read each scenario. Check the wisest response and explain why.
Scenario 1: “I’d Rather Be Dead”
After a reentry support meeting, a returning citizen says, “I’d rather be dead than go back to prison. Don’t tell anyone.”
What should the chaplain do?
☐ A. Promise secrecy and ask the person to calm down.
☐ B. Say, “You need stronger faith,” and send the person home.
☐ C. Take the statement seriously, ask calm safety questions, refuse false secrecy, and activate the proper crisis pathway.
☐ D. Ignore the statement because people sometimes exaggerate when upset.
Why?
Scenario 2: “Can You Give Me a Ride?”
A person in crisis says, “I need you to drive me somewhere right now. Don’t tell the program staff. I just need to get away.”
What should the chaplain do?
☐ A. Give the ride privately because the person asked for help.
☐ B. Refuse harshly and walk away.
☐ C. Stay calm, avoid private transportation, involve the proper leader or staff, and help identify a safe next step.
☐ D. Lend the person money for a ride and keep it quiet.
Why?
Scenario 3: “I Might Use Tonight”
A returning citizen says, “I might use tonight. I’m scared of what happens when I’m alone.”
What should the chaplain do?
☐ A. Shame the person for weakness.
☐ B. Promise to stay on the phone all night.
☐ C. Thank the person for being honest, encourage immediate connection with recovery support or program staff, and pray by permission.
☐ D. Ignore it because relapse fear is not the chaplain’s concern.
Why?
Scenario 4: “Pray Before I Go Find Him”
A man says, “Pray for me before I go find him. If he disrespects me again, I’m done.”
What should the chaplain do?
☐ A. Pray quickly and let him leave.
☐ B. Tell him he is a bad Christian for being angry.
☐ C. Take the possible threat seriously, ask clarifying questions, involve appropriate help, and offer prayer without delaying safety action.
☐ D. Challenge him physically so he cannot leave.
Why?
Scenario 5: “I Want Jesus Right Now”
A person says, “I want to pray to Jesus. I think I might hurt myself tonight.”
What should the chaplain do?
☐ A. Lead a short prayer and then assume the crisis is over.
☐ B. Refuse to pray because crisis protocol matters more.
☐ C. Pray with permission, speak gospel hope simply, and continue activating the proper safety pathway.
☐ D. Ask the person to give a public testimony immediately.
Why?
Part 5: Local Ministry Application
Complete these before serving in a reentry setting.
1. My Ministry Setting
I may serve in:
☐ church reentry ministry
☐ jail or prison follow-up ministry
☐ recovery ministry
☐ transitional housing
☐ halfway house support
☐ Soul Center
☐ mentoring ministry
☐ community outreach
☐ other: _______________________________
2. Emergency Pathway Questions I Need Answered
Before serving, I need to ask leaders:
Who do I contact if someone mentions suicide or self-harm?
Who do I contact if someone threatens violence?
Who do I contact if someone appears intoxicated, overdosed, or medically unsafe?
What should I do if someone discloses abuse, exploitation, or danger to a minor?
What are the rules about transportation, money, private meetings, texting, and after-hours contact?
What documentation is required after a serious incident?
Who should debrief with me after a crisis?
Part 6: Calling and Readiness Reflection
Answer the following questions.
Why does a chaplain need both compassion and limits in crisis ministry?
What does it mean to protect dignity while still refusing false secrecy?
Why is it important to remember that returning citizens are embodied souls and not merely “risk cases”?
What kind of crisis moment would be hardest for me personally?
What support, training, supervision, or accountability do I need before serving in crisis-prone reentry settings?
Part 7: Prayer and Commitment
Complete this prayer in your own words.
Lord Jesus, prepare me to serve with calm presence and wise boundaries. Help me not to panic, overpromise, shame, or hide danger. Teach me to protect life, honor dignity, ask for help, and stay within my role. When I meet someone in crisis, help me to be:
steady in ________________________________________________________
truthful about ___________________________________________________
humble enough to ________________________________________________
courageous enough to _____________________________________________
faithful in _______________________________________________________
Amen.
Closing Formation Prayer
Lord Jesus,
You are near to the brokenhearted and merciful to those who cry out in fear, shame, guilt, anger, or despair. Form me into a chaplain who does not run from crisis and does not pretend to be the savior. Give me calmness without passivity, courage without pride, compassion without confusion, and wisdom without coldness.
Teach me to pray with faith and act with responsibility. Help me protect life, honor truth, respect boundaries, and involve the right help at the right time. May my presence point people toward your mercy, your protection, and your hope. Amen.