How can you use critical incident debriefing to support student and teacher mental health?

This can be managed by: 1). Providing a safe space: Sharing emotions and reactions after a stressful event without judgment. 2). Building connection: Fostering a sense of community and support through shared experience. 3). Normalizing reactions: Validating everyone's feelings and reminding them they're not alone. 4). Developing coping skills: Sharing healthy strategies to manage stress and emotions. 5). Accessing resources: Connecting individuals with professional help if needed. This should be handled by trained professionals. Thanks.

Ce que je trouve utile dans les situations de stress en groupe est de réussir à trouver un moment pour mettre des mots sur les facteurs du stress. Tout dire sans retenue et ensuite constater en quoi ce stress est infondé

How CID Works: 1. Introduction and Overview: The facilitator explains the purpose of the session and sets ground rules for a safe and supportive environment. 2. Fact-Gathering: Participants share factual details about the event, allowing everyone to gain a common understanding of what happened. 3. Thoughts and Feelings: Participants discuss their emotional reactions to the event, including fear, anger, sadness, guilt, or confusion. This encourages normalization and validation of diverse experiences. 4. Impact and Symptoms: Participants explore the psychological and physical impact of the event, including potential symptoms like anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, or hypervigilance.

CID should be available to all staff members, even those who did not directly experience the incident; there may be staff/students that are vicariously experiencing trauma symptoms. That said, it's also important to remain objective and not assume that everyone is traumatized. The CID should be conducted by an outside professional (particularly for the sake of the teachers), creating a safe, nonjudgmental environment where everyone can choose whether or not to engage. In addition, administration should offer individual counseling for those who may need further assistance.

As a clinical psychologist, I have worked with trauma for over 20 years and the interpretation of the events is crucial in whether an individual goes on to develop PTSD. Therefore, focusing on the actual events rather than the ‘what if’s’ is fundamental. Also most people do not understand why the body responds in a particular way to a traumatic event. Normalising (or in other words explaining) the responses can be hugely beneficial.

Voluntary Participation: Participation in CID should always be voluntary, as forcing individuals to confront a traumatic event can have detrimental effects. Ensure everyone is informed about the purpose and process of CID, potential benefits and risks, and their right to decline or leave the session at any point. Directly Impacted Individuals: Primarily consider those directly involved in the critical incident, such as victims, witnesses, and first responders. They are likely to experience the most significant emotional impact and benefit most from a safe space to share their experiences.

Crisis Intervention and Debriefing (CID) can be utilized for individuals who have encountered or been exposed to a distressing or highly demanding occurrence. This may encompass students, educators, first responders, healthcare professionals, as well as any individual or collective that has been affected by a critical incident. Not limited solely to those directly affected by the event, CID also encompasses those who observed it or offered assistance, with the aim of tending to their mental well-being requirements.

First make ur mind free and confident that it's nothing v come back soon . Speak open with people around u which makes our stress less to zero To keep mind calm and fresh have ur loved meal which makes u keeps u fresh food is emotion free many times when ur in struggle U come back easily

Anyone who experiences an event as traumatic would benefit from CID. I agree with the other contributors that any intervention needs to be thoroughly explained and voluntary, with clear instruction that the participant is free to leave and can share or not share information as they choose. Traumatic events are forced upon us. They are situations where we feel unable to escape from an event where we believe our (or someone we love’s) lives are in danger. So forcing someone to go over something in a manner where they feel they have no option but to go over the event, can be re-traumatising. As such a skilled person will always make someone feel they are safe to explore things which sometimes feel unspeakable.

Before the incident: Planning and Training: Establish a CID team within your school or organization, consisting of mental health professionals and trained facilitators. Ensure they receive appropriate training in trauma response and CID techniques. Develop Protocols: Create clear protocols for identifying and responding to critical incidents, including when and how to initiate CID. Resource List: Compile a list of readily available resources for mental health support, including individual therapists, support groups, hotlines, and crisis intervention services. Safe Space: Identify a comfortable and private space conducive to open discussion and emotional expression.

A psychologist preparing to conduct a critical incident debriefing should prioritise the following steps: First, familiarise themselves with the specific incident and those affected. Next, understand the psychological impact of trauma and its manifestations. Additionally, be well-versed in trauma-informed care and best practices. Develop a structured debriefing plan, including clear objectives and potential interventions. Finally, ensure the availability of resources for follow-up care and support.

On CISD From; Dr George Kaliaden unilifementor.com kaliaden@gmail.com Physical, cognitive, emotional and behavioral symptoms may include the following: Fatigue, chills, unusual thirst, chest pain, headache, dizziness, uncertainty, confusion nightmares, poor attention and decision making ability, poor concentration and memory, grief, fear, guilt, anger, apprehension and depression. CISD creates a therapeutic setting to talk about experiences and feelings in a safe environment. The therapist initiates the healing process. Professional support immediately following an incident, which reduces the risk of developing trauma symptoms or other mental health issues. CISD Online Program George Kaliaden Consulting FZE Whatsapp +97150-6524285.

I agree with what is outlined here. I would go on to say, CID should only be carried out by a trained professional who has a thorough understanding and skill set in working with trauma. I have worked with so many individuals who have relayed stories of untrained individuals attempting to work with traumas. If we do not have a thorough understanding of how trauma affects the brain, it is, in my opinion, unethical to even try. Many people do it for the right reasons but actually can do a lot of harm.

When conducting a critical incident debriefing in the role of a psychologist, it is essential to establish a secure and nurturing atmosphere for the individuals who have been affected. This can be achieved by initially fostering trust and rapport, followed by introducing a well-defined method for individuals to express their experiences openly. Employing active listening skills to validate their emotions and encounters is crucial. Moreover, it is essential to promote open communication and guarantee that all participants can share their thoughts. Lastly, it is recommended to provide resources for continued support and follow-up care as necessary.

Critical incident debriefing can support students and teachers mental health by providing psychoeducation, interventions, resilence-building, promoting peer support, creating openness in culture and accessing to the support services. Educators can create a safer and supportive environment for individuals to thrive, by prioritizing overall well-being of theri school community.

Critical incident debriefing offers a structured and supportive environment for students and teachers to address traumatic events or high-stress situations. This approach assists individuals in expressing emotions, gaining validation, and developing coping strategies. Furthermore, it fosters a sense of community and connectedness that is crucial for mental well-being. Through open communication and access to additional resources, critical incident debriefing helps individuals feel supported and mitigates the long-term consequences of stressful incidents on their mental health.