Book excerpt: This Manual represents a first effort to produce a training instrument to be used in the development of an effective response to the emotional problems which may occur when a major disaster disrupts the functioning of individuals, families, and communities. It discusses the principles and techniques of crisis intervention, which aim: to relieve current emotional stress and to forestall or diminish future emotional difficulties. This Manual includes techniques which have been developed from thousands of emergency calls to a Suicide Prevention Center and have been adapted to the kinds of problems which are caused by major disasters.