The Crisis Plan (CP-J) is a plan created based on an agreement between the individual and their supporters, outlining how to maintain stability and deal with signs of worsening symptoms when the illness is stable (Nomura, 2017). It has recently gained attention in the field of mental health care and welfare in Japan. While research is also being accumulated in Japan, a meta-analysis (1) on interventions to reduce involuntary hospitalization rates conducted overseas compared randomized controlled trials of several intervention methods, including self-management, CBT for psychosis, and ACT (Assertive Community Treatment), and concluded that Crisis Plan was the most promising intervention to prevent involuntary hospitalization.

This is thought to be due to the Crisis Plan's effectiveness as a specific and practical tool in collaborative symptom management between individuals and their supporters. However, it is important to note that "symptom management" is not the individual's goal, and that Crisis Plan can be useful as a means to maintain stability and work towards their own goals and aspirations.

At our association, we aim to foster Crisis Plan as a tool for individuals and their supporters to work together towards the individual's life goals. We invite you to learn, engage, and grow with us.

 1) Bone, J. K., McCloud, T. L., Scott, H. R., et al. (2019). Psychosocial interventions to reduce compulsory psychiatric admissions: a rapid evidence synthesis. EClinical Medicine, 10, 58-67.

  WRAP (Wellness, Recovery, Action, Plan) is an acronym that stands for a behavior plan designed to promote daily wellness and a positive approach to recovery. It aims to increase awareness of situations that can trigger emotional distress and create an action plan to support recovery. The plan includes a Crisis Plan as well.

WRAP was created in 1997 by a group of mental health service users led by Copeland in the United States, and has gained attention within the recovery movement. WRAP is a systematic approach to self-care, which involves understanding one's own mental and physical states, using personalized coping strategies to reduce and prevent distressing symptoms, and working towards personal goals. Although the WRAP Crisis Plan overlaps with the Crisis Plan (CP-J) introduced here, the Crisis Plan presented here has developed from a tool for rights advocacy by a user-led group in the UK.

 The most significant difference between WRAP's Crisis Plan and the Crisis Plan (CP-J) introduced here is that WRAP's Crisis Plan is a self-care tool primarily designed for individual use, and sharing it with medical or welfare professionals is not necessary. On the other hand, the Crisis Plan (CP-J) introduced here is collaboratively created and shared with medical or welfare professionals. In other words, while WRAP's Crisis Plan is the "I" plan for the individual, the Crisis Plan (CP-J) is positioned as the "We" plan for the user and their supporters, who confirm and implement appropriate responses according to the situation. There is no superior choice between the two, as both WRAP and the Crisis Plan (CP-J) can be suitable options for patients or users.

１．Exchange and sharing of information through a mailing list.

・Sharing of formats and templates

・Sharing of information related to training sessions

・Sharing of practical and research reports

・Exchange of opinions and ideas

and more.

２．Holding training sessions.

・Local study groups and workshops

・National workshops conducted by members of the association

・Introduction of workshop instructors

and more.

３．Research support

• Establishment of research teams

• Introduction of literature

Advice on research ideas and methods

and more.

４．Promoting awareness and understanding of mental health care and welfare

・Development of workbooks

・Training for instructors and outreach personnel

・Approaches towards reimbursement for healthcare services

and more.

Membership fees, including registration and annual fees, are free of charge. There are no costs associated with joining. Please register using the form below.

Membership Application Form

In 2014, the Crisis Plan was included as a reference material in the "Textbook on Collaboration between Medical and Welfare Services in the Revised Mental Health and Welfare Law for the Enhancement of Personnel Development in Prefectures" (Chapter 2: Collaboration between Medical and Welfare Services in the Revised Mental Health and Welfare Law) in order to promote collaboration between medical and welfare services and facilitate discharge from psychiatric hospitals. The Crisis Plan was incorporated into the flowchart for promoting discharge.

In 2016, the Japan Medical Association included the Crisis Plan as a mandatory component in the plan for outreach and community transition for patients with long-term mental illness hospitalizations, as stated in their report on "Approaches to community transition, including outreach, for long-term hospitalized individuals with mental illness".

In 2018, the "Guidelines for Post-Discharge Support for Persons with Mental Disabilities by Local Governments" included a recommended item for "response measures in case of worsening symptoms." Although the name is different, this is essentially the same as the crisis plan introduced in the material on the revised Mental Health and Welfare Act and is introduced as a useful tool for multi-agency and multi-professional collaboration.

In 2020, in the "FY 2020 Revision of Medical Fees" in Japan, the "Joint Guidance Fee for Psychiatric Discharge" and the "Guidance Addition Fee for Living Environment Improvement in Medical Treatment" include the requirement that the "Comprehensive Support Management Practice Guide" be referenced, and this guide includes a crisis plan (emergency visit/consultation interview plan) - the crisis plan is introduced as a tool for emergency response in multi-agency, multi-professional cooperation.

In 2022, in the "FY 2022 Revision of Medical Service Fees," the "Continuing Support for Living" additional fee included a requirement to refer to the "Comprehensive Support Management Practice Guide" when creating support plans, and this guide includes a Crisis Plan (Emergency Consultation and Counseling Interview Plan). The Crisis Plan is introduced as a tool for emergency response in multi-agency and multi-professional collaboration.

President

Teruyuki Nomura

Deputy Director of the Psychotherapy Division (Licensed Psychologist, Clinical Psychologist, Ph.D.)

Saigata Medical Center

Vice President

Shunsuke Kano

Iwate Prefectural University, Faculty of Social Welfare, Lecturer (Licensed Psychologist, PhD)

Contact information

 crisisplannetwork（at symbol）gmail.com

 since 2017