Crisis-Ready Interventionist® Certification
Be a steady hand when tensions rise.
The Crisis-Ready Interventionist® (CRI) Certification equips employees with the confidence and practical capability to recognize risk early, respond with compassion, and connect colleagues to the right support before situations escalate.
Together, CRIs help create workplaces where people feel supported, organizations become more resilient, and Psychological Health and Safety comes to life through everyday action.
Because every workplace needs people who know what to do when it matters most.
What is a Crisis-Ready Interventionist?
A Crisis-Ready Interventionist® is a trained employee who strengthens an organization’s existing Psychological Health and Safety (PHS) and Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) programs through practical human capability.
CRIs are trusted upstanders who recognize early signs of distress, support colleagues through difficult moments, and help connect people to appropriate resources before situations escalate. They don’t replace leaders, HR, EFAPs, or clinical professionals. They strengthen them by creating the confidence and capability for people to support one another when it matters most.
CRIs are Humans Helping Humans.
Register Today
Build the confidence and capability to support others when it matters most.
Whether you’re an HR professional, leader, supervisor, health and safety practitioner, or someone others naturally turn to for support, the Crisis-Ready Interventionist® Certification provides practical skills you can apply immediately in your workplace.
View upcoming certification dates and reserve your place today.
Why Become a Crisis-Ready Interventionist®?
This Certification Is Different
Unlike standalone awareness programs, the Crisis-Ready Interventionist® Certification prepares you to become a trusted resource within your workplace. You’ll gain the confidence and practical skills to recognize when a colleague may be struggling, respond with compassion, and help connect them to the right support before situations escalate.
As more employees become certified, organizations build the internal capability to strengthen Psychological Health and Safety through the broader Crisis-Ready Workplace® Program, creating a culture where people know how to support one another and continuous improvement becomes part of everyday practice.
Certification & Professional Recognition
Earn the Crisis-Ready Interventionist® Certification
Complete 12 comprehensive modules in one integrated certification
Receive 14 hours of professional development (CPD/CEU)
Pre-approved by HRPA, CPHR Nova Scotia, and the CPD Standards Office
Eligible for continuing education across HR, OHS, legal, healthcare, and mental health professions
Led by Dr. Bill Howatt, PhD, EdD, Chief Mental Health Officer, Crisis-Ready Workplace®
Practical Skills You’ll Apply Immediately
Leave with the confidence and capability to:
Recognize early signs of distress, burnout, conflict, and psychosocial risk
Respond with calm, supportive, non-clinical conversations
Apply practical de-escalation and stabilization techniques
Connect colleagues to appropriate workplace and community supports
Strengthen Psychological Health and Safety through everyday action
Support safer workplaces where people know what to do when it matters most
How a Crisis-Ready Interventionist® Supports a Safer Workplace
Crisis-Ready Interventionists strengthen workplace culture by helping organizations move from awareness to action.
By recognizing psychosocial risks earlier, responding with confidence, and connecting colleagues to support, CRIs help create safer workplaces where employees feel seen, supported, and prepared to help one another.
For employers, CRIs are one part of the broader Crisis-Ready Workplace® Program, helping build internal capability that strengthens Psychological Health and Safety, Occupational Health and Safety, and employee experience through continuous improvement.
What you will learn
Learn practical, trauma-informed skills to recognize risk early, de-escalate high-stress situations, and support employees through a wide range of real-world workplace crises with calm, clarity, and confidence.
Block 1: Foundation
Module 1: Introduction to the Foundation for Crisis Intervention
How crisis readiness strengthens workplace mental health and safety
A six-step model for responding to workplace crises
Staying calm and in control under pressure
Module 2: Trauma-Informed Awareness and Critical Incident Defusing
How trauma-informed approaches reduce harm
Informal defusing practices before formal intervention
The role of trained peers after difficult events
Block 2: Responder
Module 3: Preventing Interpersonal Crises from Escalating
Identifying early signs of tension or conflict
Building inclusion and belonging to reduce risk
Practical skills that promote safety and support
Module 4: Early Detection of Employees at Risk
Recognizing early signs of stress, impairment, or mental health challenges
Understanding Duty to Inquire responsibilities
Applying a five-step support model with care
Block 3: Prevention
Module 5. How to Manage an Angry Person
Understanding the anger cycle
Safe, calm de-escalation techniques
Avoiding common escalation mistakes
Module 6. How to Support a Suicidal Employee
Myths and warning signs of suicidal ideation
Understanding decision-making around suicide risk
Using a clear support and referral model
Scenario-based learning to build confidence in high-risk situations.
Modules 7 to 12
Supporting employees experiencing domestic or intimate partner violence
Managing armed assailant threats in the workplace
Verbal de‑Escalation essentials
Supporting burnout and emotional exhaustion
Micro-skills for supporting moral injury
Coaching leaders to support employees in crisis
Learning outcomes
Confidence handling real-world workplace crises
Practical tools for different types of events
Trauma-informed approaches that reduce harm and support recovery
Block 4: Crisis-Ready Micro-Interventions
Who Should Become a Crisis-Ready Interventionist®?
The Crisis-Ready Interventionist® Certification is designed for employees at all levels and across every function who want to help create a safer, healthier workplace. Whether you lead a team, support others professionally, or are someone colleagues naturally turn to, you can play an important role in recognizing risk early and connecting people to support.
Ideal participants include:
Leaders and people managers
Human Resources professionals
Health, Safety, and Wellness professionals
Psychological Health and Safety champions
Joint Health and Safety Committee members
Frontline supervisors and team leads
Union representatives
Peer supporters and workplace champions
Employee experience professionals
Trusted employees who want to make a positive difference
No clinical background is required. If you’re someone others trust and you want the confidence and practical skills to support colleagues when it matters most, this certification is for you.
Become a Crisis-Ready Workplace
Crisis-Ready Workplace helps organizations move beyond awareness to real-world readiness. By certifying 10% of your workforce as trained Crisis-Ready Interventionists, you build internal capacity to recognize risk early, de-escalate situations, and support employees before challenges escalate. The result is a safer, more resilient workplace with stronger culture, clearer accountability, and measurable protection for both people and performance.
Certify 10% of your entire workforce for just $99 per employee!
Let’s Build Readiness Together
Today’s workplaces call for people and organizations to support one another when pressure is high. Crisis-Ready is built on a simple belief: humans helping humans, with the skills, confidence, and systems you need to respond when it matters most.
Whether you’re stepping forward as an individual or strengthening readiness across your organization, Crisis-Ready helps you turn care into action.
For Individuals: Build practical skills, confidence, and a recognized credential as a Crisis-Ready Interventionist, so you can support others at work when it counts.
For Employers: Embed real crisis-response capability across your organization with a scalable, auditable approach that protects people and performance.
Ready to take the next step?
Contact us to start the conversation.