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What is
CIS?
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. |
What is
PTSD?
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.
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What is
CISM?
The Critical
Incident Stress Management (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.
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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.
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