Beyond the Noise: Using Calm Communication to Support Alzheimer's, PTSD, and Men's Mental Health

June is a month rich with purpose: it brings awareness to Men’s Mental Health, Alzheimer’s Disease, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Each of these areas highlights a unique facet of how the brain processes stress, trauma, and communication, all of which are critical in shaping how we engage with individuals during times of crisis or distress.

At the heart of this conversation is CPI (Crisis Prevention Institute) verbal de-escalation: a structured approach to calming heightened situations through respectful, empathetic communication and de-escalation techniques and strategies. It is critical to be self-aware and evaluate how our words, tone, rate of which we are communicating, volume, and behavior-verbal, non-verbal and paraverbal, impact those around us. 

The CPI Approach: Person-Centered and Trauma-Informed

The CPI model emphasizes safety, dignity, and respect. In situations involving those with PTSD or Alzheimer’s disease both of which can significantly alter how a person processes information and perceives and reacts/responds to their environment, verbal de-escalation is not one-size-fits-all approach.

Being person-centered means, we prioritize the individual’s perspective and lived experience. 

Being trauma-informed means, we are aware that past trauma (such as combat exposure or long-term stress) can shape how someone responds to stressors today.

In practice, this requires us to ask important questions:

• Do we need to repeat information or slow down our speech?
• Is the individual visibly confused, overwhelmed, or triggered by something in the room?
• Should we write things down to offer clarity or reduce anxiety?
• Are we using a calm, non-threatening tone and maintaining appropriate body language and special distance/proximity?

Alzheimer’s Awareness: Adapting for Cognitive Challenges

Alzheimer’s and other dementias can lead to confusion, agitation, and difficulty with communication. Verbal de-escalation techniques must be adjusted for individuals facing cognitive decline.

A few examples on how to de-escalate are: rephrasing a sentence or using visual aids, being patient and avoiding triggering or becoming a trigger (precipitating factor) ourselves, we can help de-escalate a potentially stressful interaction.

PTSD Awareness: Recognizing and Respecting Trauma

For individuals with PTSD, for example, military veterans, triggers may not be visible but can be deeply felt. A crowded room, a sudden movement, or a loud noise might provoke a disproportionate response.

In a hospital setting, we are asking veterans and individuals with PTSD deeply personal questions, asking them to remove personal belongings and clothing and asking them to release their power, giving it to the medical professionals tending to their care, all while being treated in a noisy, loud, stressful, bright, beeping, environment.

By being aware of what we are asking of the patient and being aware of the stressful and noisy environment, allows us to shift our mindset and behavior from “what’s wrong with this patient,” to “what happened to this patient.”

Applying the “what happened to” approach allows us to be trauma-informed which means understanding that someone may have a history of trauma, and therefore, ensuring our communication is always respectful, non-threatening, calm, and providing choices to the patient wherever possible. Some examples could include: “Would you like applesauce or pudding?” “Would you like to do your vitals now or after you finish watching your show?”

Men’s Mental Health: Breaking the Silence

June also marks Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, an opportunity to challenge stigma and normalize emotional expression in men. Historically, men have been conditioned to suppress emotion, making it harder for them to seek help and/or be understood when they do.

Verbal de-escalation with men in crisis often requires sensitivity to these cultural norms. We must create spaces where men feel safe to be vulnerable, without fear of judgment or shame and understand men also experience trauma.

Moving Forward: A Call to Action

Healthcare workers, family members, and community leaders must approach communication not just as a skill, but as a form of care. CPI’s framework provides the structure; compassion and understanding provide the heart.

As we recognize Alzheimer’s, PTSD, and Men’s Mental Health awareness this month, let’s remember that verbal de-escalation is not just about calming a moment — it’s about seeing the person behind the behavior, and responding in a way that promotes empathy, dignity, safety, person-centered, trauma-informed and healing.

Acknowledgment: This article draws on principles and best practices from the Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® Training Program, 3rd Edition, developed by the Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI), which provides a trauma-informed, person-centered approach to verbal de-escalation and crisis prevention.

Additional Resources:

Mental Health First Aid class: Sign Up Now!

Workplace Violence Prevention: https://hr.ucdavis.edu/departments/elr/workplaceviolence/

Academic and Staff Assistance Program (ASAP): https://www.hr.ucdavis.edu/departments/asap

Ombuds: https://ombuds.ucdavis.edu/

Counselor drop-ins: https://ucdavis.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_byI2jDrEAPyQzMa?Q_CHL=qr

Support U Peer Responder Program: clinicalwellbeing@ucdavis.edu

Harassment & Discrimination Assistance and Prevention Program: https://hdapp.ucdavis.edu/

Workplace Violence Prevention Program

• Reporting Workplace Violence
• Training & Preventing Workplace Violence
• Resources & Support
• About Workplace Violence & Tools

Contact the Workplace Violence Prevention Unit:

• ViolencePrevention@ucdavis.edu