Crisis Intervention
Chai Lifeline Canada's Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) is a volunteer driven team trained to respond in the immediate aftermath of a crisis, tragedy or traumatic event affecting Toronto's Jewish Community. Offering emotional and practical assistance, the team steps in to support individuals, families and institutions affected by a sudden death, suicide, act of terror, natural disaster, or a major accident. Combining evidence based best practice with cultural sensitivity makes the team uniquely situated to step in at a moment's notice.
If you need immediate support, contact our CIT Hotline:
Why this team was created
In the immediate aftermath of a tragic event such as death, catastrophic incidents or missing person emergencies, whether there is one victim or one thousand victims, the individuals affected are left reeling with a sense of helplessness, insecurity, and shock.
Over the years, Chai Lifeline Canada has received a considerable number of calls from concerned family members, teachers, school principals, rabbis, mental health professionals, and other organizations requesting support for parents, children, students, teachers, friends, and others who were grappling with the initial shock of a tragic event, death, or catastrophic incident.
The community as a whole is affected when tragedy strikes. In the aftermath, schools, families and individuals need practical guidance to restore emotional security, and stability
Victims and witnesses are often left feeling shocked, confused, and traumatized in the aftermath of a crisis. Our volunteers are trained to help restore a sense of reassurance, stability, direction, emotional security, and organization to those affected by a tragic event.
Services include
- Providing guidance for how to relay difficult news to children
- Debriefing with community leaders in the aftermath
- Connecting those affected to existing resources
- Assistance in mediating with the press, hospital, police, other agencies
- Consultation with schools, organizations, or synagogues
- Provide guidance and direction following a global traumatic event that affects the Jewish community nation wide
- Arranging referral to appropriate services such as:
- Lawyers
- Burial services
- Mental health professionals
- Financial aid
- Religious services
- Facilitating practical planning of imminent 24 hours such as:
- Assisting with planning sleeping arrangements for children
- Guidance in how to notify friends and family about a personal tragedy
- Guidance in coordinating with children’s school / speaking with classmates
Crisis include
- Providing guidance for how to notify children of a sudden death or tragedy
- Providing emotional support and empathy
- Coping skills, validation and reassurance
- Managing difficult questions and dilemmas
Some examples include:
- A family dealing with the unexpected death of a child
- Supporting family, friends and community affected by a completed suicide
- Supporting family and friends affected by a car accident death
- Supporting teachers, students, and school administration following a tragic event involving a fellow student or staff member
Our Volunteers
Our volunteers are highly trained by experts in the fields of psychology, crisis management, emotional first aid and trauma. The team is comprised of caring individuals representing all facets of the Toronto Jewish community. This includes teachers, paramedics, physicians, community activists, rabbis and mental health professionals all bringing unique skill sets and perspective to the team.
Get support now
If you need immediate support, contact our CIT Hotline:
7 Days A Week 8AM – 9PM
Excluding Sabbath and Jewish Holidays
“There are no words with which to express my appreciation for all you’ve done to help our school and our community. The speed of your response was truly amazing. Each person that was affected by this tragedy was met as quickly as possible. Their emotional needs were assessed and quickly met.”
