Psychosocial crisis support (PCS) is a service that provides individuals with early psychosocial assistance during or after a crisis. PCS involves delivering humane, supportive, and practical help to people affected by critical events, with the aim of reducing the impact of trauma and restoring the person’s independent functioning. In Estonia, PCS is a national defense task carried out in cooperation between the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Social Insurance Board, and local governments. The aim of the study was to assess the capacity of local governments to provide PCS and to identify development needs.
Findings indicate that all local governments are, to some extent, willing and able to support individuals in need and to assist other municipalities when called upon. However, issues related to the quality and consistency of the service persist. There is a lack of clarity regarding the stakeholders involved in PCS provision and their roles, leading to random and fragmented support. Several factors limit the provision of PCS, including insufficient funding, shortage of trained professionals (especially in remote areas and among Russian-speaking service providers), lack of 24/7 availability, and weak integration of PCS into the work of crisis commissions. Low motivation, barriers to information sharing, and limited knowledge about potential cooperation partners reduce crisis preparedness and service efficiency. Developing staff competence and practical fieldwork are further hindered by limited access to trainings and their overly theoretical nature.
The study highlights that, to develop PCS services, it is essential to first raise awareness among local governments and partners about the purpose and importance of PCS and to establish a clear division of roles. Another recommendation is to enhance community involvement, improve information flow, and strengthen PCS coordination through clearly defined responsibilities. Additionally, there is a need for increased national funding and the development of updated guidance materials. Although large-scale crises are rare in Estonia, readiness to provide psychosocial crisis support remains a vital part of the country’s overall crisis resilience.