Skip to main content

Hacks for Training & Cross-Training for De-Escalation

Posted in .

It may seem odd to think of training or cross-training as have anything at all to do with handling escalated situations in harm reduction spaces, but in fact, it is invaluable for all staff to be trained and cross-trained on all the basic services provided by your organization; consequently, when escalated situations inevitably occur, everyone can handle everything, so if key staff are tied up, the site can continue to run as smoothly as possible.

This means that all staff should be familiar with the supplies and services that are provided, your service hours, and other details. It also means they should know exactly what supplies your organization hands out and the protocols for doing so.

Featured Hacks

These featured hacks highlight creative, practical solutions from harm reduction leaders on the ground. From DIY tools to clever workarounds, each one reflects the ingenuity, care, and real-world experience that keeps this movement alive. 

Important Terms: Person First Language

Featured in: ,
Generally, it’s important to use “person first language” when describing people who are marginalized due to some part of their identity being stigmatized, such as folks struggling with their substance use, people who do sex work, and folks living outside.
Read this Hack

Hacks for Empathetic Active Listening

Featured in: ,
Once you have grounded yourself during an escalated situation, next engage in active listening with the person who is agitated. This can seem counterintuitive or difficult when you are dealing with somebody who is, for example, screaming at you, and it may feel like you’re rewarding them for being completely irrational. But it is key to getting them more centered and grounded so they’re less agitated and less likely to become a danger to themselves or others.
Read this Hack