Fight or Flight: Negotiating Crisis on the Front Line

Get set for a wild ride as Dr. Andy Young takes you on an "up close and personal" journey into the world of crisis negotiation. Walk with him into the electric tension of adrenaline-charged crime scenes poised precariously on a razor's edge between triumph and tragedy. Experience a 360-degree panorama of hostage situations from the vantage points of SWAT teams, police, victims, the bad guys, and the people who bring calm and reason to these dicey situations. These specially trained mental health professionals are the missing puzzle pieces who help save lives and bring relief to the extreme distress that comes with the trauma of crisis.Dr. Young's narrative is easy to read, yet details the complexities of the challenges faced by law enforcement in dealing with people who are on the edge (or beyond) of reason. You'll enjoy the unexpected role that humor plays for these hybrid teams of law enforcement and mental health experts in coping with the heart-pounding stress that is an inescapable part of the job. And although you'll feel like you're in the middle of a gritty action film, there is no fiction here. Everything you read here is true.Most of all, you will come to appreciate the benefit that these brave men and women bring to the table as they form a synergistic bond with multiple branches of law enforcement. Beyond the soon-fading adrenaline rush lies an even warmer "feel good" sensation as you witness traumatized people being rescued and comforted. A completely entertaining thrill ride from start to finish, filled with drama, danger, tension, terror, tears, grief, courage, and compassion, Dr. Young's book brings long overdue and well-deserved honor to people who risk their lives regularly not only for public safety, but also for the often-underestimated value of the mental wellbeing of both victims and cops.