About Us

The Trauma Support Network (TSN) is a multi-disciplinary, collaborative initiative to help the people of greater Kansas City after a traumatic loss. The event responsible for the loss could be a terrorist attack, a random drive-by shooting or a suicide. The effects of 'critical events' or victims and witnesses have the potential to lead to a variety of spiritual, mental and physical health issues if not properly addressed. The TSN, which works closely with law enforcement agencies, has built a network of trained professionals and volunteers.  TSN team members are available to respond 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to those affected by a traumatic event who need support, interventions or related services.  Support may be offered at the time of the critical incident and/or weeks or even months following the event. The TSN is also committed to providing education and training for the general public and the professional community on traumatic grief and critical incident stress. 

Critical Incident Stress (CIS) is defined as stress or trauma experienced by an individual from a sudden, unexpected, often violent incident, which is outside the person's normal range of coping. These events can interfere with the ability to function on a daily basis for months or even years. Most witnesses (or co-victims) experience "Traumatic Grief" as a result of the event. Traumatic grief is considered more complex than the grief from a normal life experience. Traumatic grief is sudden, intense and personal. Most co-victims can only think about the terror of what happened and are often preoccupied with thoughts about the murder or violence. They can experience extreme anger or rage, intrusive images and/or becomes preoccupied about the manner of death.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is the most common diagnosis category used to describe symptoms arising from traumatic grief. This disorder presumes that the person experienced a traumatic event involving actual or threatened death or injury to themselves or others -- and where they felt fear, helplessness, or horror. Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) is the process of educating, preventing or mitigating the effects from exposure to an abnormal or highly unusual event.

The CISM protocol was initially only offered to "first responders" (i.e., police, fire, EMT's, hospital and military personnel) to take care of their workers responding to a tragic event. For example, this protocol is available to the police officers and EMT's who respond to a suicide, but there is nothing for the person or family who either witness the death or find the body of a loved one. There are two referral networks that can provide people with the information, resources and interventions they might need in their time of crisis in an easily accessible manner. There are some local organizations offering "crisis intervention services" but most people have no idea there is help available and many do not even  realize they need help in dealing with their trauma or loss. These people often end up with someone without any specific training or expertise in CIS and the possible effects on individuals and families.

Because of the climate within our world today and the proven effectiveness of intervention services, many communities are looking into creating networks like TSN to improve the delivery of these needed services, as well as informing the public of the long term benefits of support and intervention. TSN is committed to providing support, education and training for the general public and the professionals community to provide support, education and training for the general public and the professional community in Traumatic grief. The Trauma Support Network will use technology available to create the resource and referral clearinghouse for CISM services for the greater KC community and beyond. 

 PMB 180,233 SW Greenwich Dr.
Lees Summit, Missouri 64082
www.traumasupportnetwork.org
Email: info@traumasupportnetwork.org