05/06/2026
It’s been 4 years since I’ve been part of this training - but I used these tips everyday.
“Just finished speaking for the Richland County CIT (Crisis Intervention Training) - this training is a 5 days course for first responders, providing them with critical information and skills to support our community members during crisis.
I shared a process I created called CARE. I love acronyms and quick ways to retain information.
When you are helping someone - especially when they are in crisis - this method can help guide your support and help build trust.
C - Calm/Comfort - Helping someone get to a point where they can communicate is the first step. Sometimes this is as simple as just walking with someone.
A - Ask/Advocate Asking questions and letting the person know you will help them builds trust that you care about them as a person and what happens to them.
R - Relate/Resolve - Find common ground, communicate and understand or willingness to understand and let them know you are there to help them get help. Take actions to resolve the situation or help them take action.
E - Educate/Encourage - Do you have insight, an experience or training on what they can expect from what is going to happen next, and what a hopeful outcome can look like? Encourage them to seek help and reassure them that this crisis is only temporary.
We call this process “Bringing Hope into the Room”. There is a very small window of time during a traumatic event where we have the opportunity to have the outcome be empowering and not debilitating. We must want a successful outcome for the person we are helping, and work toward that end.
Do you know how to CARE? You do now 👍 “ Kym Lamb 2022
