The Youth Worker’s Guide to Helping Teenagers in Crisis by Jim Hancock and Rich Van Pelt is a great tool for any youth worker. Over the last few months I’ve been flicking through the chapters, partly in response to various needs that the young people I work with have exhibited, and partly to prepare myself for that moment when that particular crisis will happen. The book skims the surface on a wide number of topics, including:
- Anger
- Bullying
- Cheating
- Cutting and Self-harm
- Death
- Incest
- Pregnancy
- Rape
- Sexually Transmitted Diseases
- Substance Abuse and Addiction
- Suicide
- Trouble with the Law
Whilst on difficult topics, the two authors write in a conversational manner with obvious experience and expertise in each of these areas. Each section includes an introduction to the topic, followed by a suggested action plan that a youth worker could take. Whilst not providing you with real depth, this book is certainly a great encyclopedia for dealing with crisis’. If you don’t already own it, go buy it as sadly in this world you’ll find yourself using it regularly.
