“…Based on this testimony, five initial principles for the development of community crisis options emerged: (1) whenever possible, people should be provided with the supports they need to resolve a crisis without being removed from familiar surroundings; (2) if people prefer to leave their homes during a crisis (or if they have no home), safe, non-threatening, non-hospital settings should be available; (3) a wide range of voluntary treatment and support options should be available in all settings; (4) emphasis should be placed on developing natural and peer supports; and (5) effective communication networks should be developed so that all people have a way to let others know when they are approaching crisis. Recent literature on community crisis alternatives support the validity of these principles (Bond et al, 1987; Sheridan, Zuskar, Walsh, & O'Brien, 1987; Stroul, 1987; Weisman, 1985).…”