Multicultural and Multinational Considerations in School Crisis Intervention

Based on our experiences working with diverse populations of children and families (in the United States and internationally), this chapter identifies a range of multicultural and multinational considerations relevant to the provision of school mental health crisis intervention. The complexity of these issues does not allow for a comprehensive review of this topic; however, drawing upon our experiences, and emphasizing contemporary scholarship, this chapter outlines some of the most salient multicultural considerations for the provision of crisis intervention in the school setting. From the provision of this basic awareness, the chapter aims to promote multicultural awareness among international school psychologists. Among the specific issues addressed are the variability in culturally typical crisis reactions and the different attitudes often held by members of specific groups toward crisis intervention services. The chapter also includes suggestions for establishing culturally relevant crisis intervention plans and teams, differences in cross-cultural reactions to crisis events, help-seeking considerations, and implications for school-based crisis interventions.