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CRISIS INTERVENTION |
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- An
employee is seriously injured in a horrific industrial
accident. Several employees are witness.
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Three students are killed in a car accident following a high
school sporting event.
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- An
employee dies suddenly and unexpectedly in her home.
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- A
violent act involving a gun occurs in the workplace.
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| In EAP
"field-speak," each of the above scenarios is called a critical
incident (or CI), which is defined as "an event outside the
range of normal human experience." Employees, students or
witnesses to these events may experience serious emotional upset
following a CI - serious enough that their ability to meet their
work, school or family obligations may be disrupted. In
response, the EAC, working with affiliate organizations,
provides a service called a "Critical Incident Stress
Debriefing" or CISD. |
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| CISDs
are directed by a team of trained individuals. Team members may
be mental health workers, members of the clergy, rescue workers
or medical professionals. The team meets in a group format with
those affected by the critical incident, ideally between 48 and
72 hours after the CI event. During this group meeting, which
may last anywhere from one to three hours, team members explain
the grief and loss process as a way to normalize the feelings
group members may be experiencing. The meeting also offers
attendees an opportunity to discuss their thoughts about the CI
-- an exercise often referred to as "processing." |
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Individuals who have been especially traumatized by the event
may be candidates for individual counseling to help them adjust.
Employees of contracted businesses are encouraged to call the
CARE's WorkLife Solutions for further assistance. |
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| The
staff at CARE can arrange for a CISD following a critical
incident at your place of work. Therefore, be sure to include
CARE's WorkLife Solutions Toll Free number - 866.888.1555
- in your organization's emergency response plans. When you
call, you will be asked a series of questions to determine
whether the event requires a CISD response or some other
intervention. |
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