In crisis situations it is normal for individuals, families and communities to become overwhelmed, but they are not actually "ill", simply, their current distress is too hard for them to cope with.  During emergencies there is no time to develop prolonged contact or for taking long case histories.

 

Therefore, the task of the helpers in crisis intervention is to assess the available coping modalities and help the family/community members to activate them. BASIC Ph is a model to understand the strengths of people and supply a framework which will enable the interveners to identify the dominant coping channels of the affected people, to construct the intervention plan upon them.

 

The model was developed through ongoing work with a population living in the shadow of constant threat on their lives. Lahad, (1993, 1984); Niv, (1996); Shacham, (1996).

 

The model relates to the six major characteristics or dimensions that are believed to be at the core of a coping style: There are people who will rely on Beliefs and Values to guide them through times of stress or crisis.

 

Others will demonstrate an emotional or “Affective” coping mode and will use expressions of emotion A third type of people will opt for a Social mode of coping, and receive support from belonging to a group, having a task, taking a role and being part of an organization.  A fourth will use Imagination to mask the brutal facts, by day dreaming, pleasant thoughts, guided imagery, improvisation and humour.  The Cognitive strategies include information gathering, problem solving, self-navigation, internal conversation or lists of activities or preference.

 

“PH” type people cope by using physical expressions together with body movement: relaxation, desensitisation, meditation, physical exercise and activity. Basic needs come here too: food, drink and sleep.

 

Each one of us has the potential to cope in each modality from the dawn of our childhood throughout our lives. It is important to note that we all have preferred modes of coping. The model focuses on how people “make it” rather than on how they fail.

 

In the workshop we are going to introduce the BASIC-Ph model to the participants .We will let them exercise various methods of identifying coping profiles and some creative methods for constructing intervention plans for the affected families and communities. In more detailed manner the workshop will include the following: