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Why do we need Critical Incident Stress Management? The experience of stress following a critical incident is a normal reaction to an abnormal event. Individual responses vary and may be influenced by a number of factors, including but not restricted to: previous experience, current available supports, and levels physical and emotional health. Having the opportunity to process the event and consider steps for further self-care in a safe and confidential environment will help with the return to normal functioning.

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What is Critical Incident Stress Debriefing? It is seven-phase intervention developed by Jeffrey Mitchell and George Everley to be used as part of your general strategy for stress management. It is designed to mitigate traumatic stress, determine need for further support, and to assemble a sense of psychological closure about an incident. 

 

What determines a critical incident? Any incident that threatens our sense of safety may be considered a critical incident, for example a physical attack, a suicide or homicide, verbal violence, earthquake or serious car accident, and includes the vicarious trauma experienced in clinical work. 

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Who can provide Critical Incident Stress Debriefing? Critical incident debriefing should be provided by a trained debriefer to mitigate risk of re-traumatising participants.  
 

Who should be offered a Debrief? Critical Incident Stress Debriefing can be implemented with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. 

 

How soon should Debrief take place?  It is advisable to wait for a few days to allow for natural processing to take place. This allows you time to arrange a de-brief within two weeks for everyone involved to attend to support the transition back to normal functioning.

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De-briefing is not... A tool to attribute blame or review organisational processes nor is it therapy.

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If you would like to know more feel free to give me a call.

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