Sudden, severe illness or protracted undefined illness likely causes a family health crisis. Families in health crisis start from a position of acute stress yet have much to do. For a frame. consider that physical health starts with spiritual health, then mental, then physical. For the family spirit is morale, mission, purpose, direction. Mental health is leadership. Often a family in crisis operates in survival mode and lacks spirit and purpose. Family success in managing the health crisis depends on leadership working to improve spirit, defining and clarifying purpose, and aligning direction. The challenge multiplies when the family member with sudden or undefined illness has a family leadership role. Families in health crisis need support from their health team and community to supply a temporary exoskeleton of leadership – acting as a guide on a path out of crisis, finding and advocating for resources, providing kindness, listening, and caring. Do you think your team or your community does or could support your family when in crisis? Health crises are guaranteed to happen if you live long enough. If you are a health team member or provider, do you or your team know how to assess the leadership needs of the people at the center of the crisis? Do you have a crisis plan that can be put in place to act as temporary family leaders or to support those stepping up as temporary family leaders? Families and their health teams need crisis plans.
Leadership in Family Health Crises
