NCJ Number
197094
Date Published
2002
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This chapter presents a case study of peer crisis intervention with a police officer who had terminal cancer, as well as with his family.
Abstract
The case transpired over a 2-month period from the point of initial diagnosis to the final hospitalization period. Adding to this emotionally charged illness was the unexpected rapid onset of the disease, which left the family emotionally and financially unprepared when the patient suddenly became terminally comatose. This chapter first profiles the patient and his family, followed by a description of the patient's interaction with one of the police department's peer counselors. The conversations between the patient and the counselor are described. Issues addressed in the intervention were how the patient was behaving in the crisis, how he coped with other crises in the past, and the patient's ability to accept reality. The counselor also determined what resources existed within the patient's environment that could be used to help address various problems. The peer counselor made every effort to be accessible for the family in dealing with any problem that arose in the course of the illness. This chapter details the ways in which the counselor helped the family deal with various issues and problems associated with the illness and finally the officer's death. 3 references