Otherwise known as Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD), crisis debriefing is a specific group process that is held after a traumatic event. It’s used to address “crisis incident stress” which is stress and trauma connected with situations such as death, tragedy, or serious injury. CISD can be used for a wide spectrum of traumatic events such as natural disasters, mass shootings, workplace violations, etc. 

There are many ways bodies react to stress. OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration) marks certain critical stress reactions such as:

• Chest pain
• Fatigue
• Nightmares
• Dizziness
• Grief
• Decreased concentration
• Difficulty making decisions
• Chronic anxiety
• Antisocial behavior
• Loss of appetite
• Drug misuse

This process is most effective when you follow through with the many steps of crisis debriefing. The American Journal of Managed Care covers several phases that include individual sessions, follow-up care, and support services. 

The primary focus of counseling is to offer assistance and support as someone addresses their trauma. It targets triggers of the event and works to overcome them by teaching the patient new skills to better handle them (such as stress reduction techniques and positive thinking). 

Crisis counseling comes in many forms, from psychotherapy to assessments and much more. When going through counseling, it is important to be transparent about your problems, emotions, and safety concerns in order to get the most out of your treatment. Doing so allows you and your counselor to best develop action plans and explore other alternatives to best work through the trauma you’re dealing with.

Having a mobile crisis care team can be pivotal in some situations. They are usually composed of qualified, civilian responders such as:

• Social Workers
• Nurses
• Psychiatrists
• Intervention specialists

These teams are equipped to address a variety of behavioral health crises. They have on-site intervention resources and are a part of the highest-level response for any psychiatric emergencies. We understand that not all mental health emergencies happen in convenient places, so we’re proud to have this as an option to better serve our community in their time of need.

Crisis hotlines are a very important resource to be aware of. They’re usually available 24/7 and connect you with someone who can talk you through feelings of helplessness, depression, and anxiety. These hotlines have trained professionals or trained volunteers who will talk you through your experience and act as a source of support and comfort.

There’s a lot of power in feeling listened to and understood. These hotlines can help patients on their healing journey in times they need it most. 

It’s important to note that crisis hotlines are not meant for medical emergencies, like suicide attempts, overdoses, or physical abuse. If this is the situation you might be in, call for medical help and answer any questions the dispatcher may have.