What is crisis intervention or post traumatic intervention?

“Post traumatic stress” might affect a number of employees who have witnessed a crisis or an emergency such as robbery, accidental death, act or threat of violence, murder, suicide or a hostage incident. If not treated, post traumatic stress can degenerate into health problems, absenteeism and possibly lasting work interruption.

How does post traumatic manifest itself?

One talks about post traumatic stress when an event triggers suffering or an alteration in social, professional or other important areas. Persons exposed to an event of high emotional intensity can develop symptoms over the following months, which include recurring flashbacks, avoiding situations which remind the person of the event, a numbing of general reactions, and persistant disorders such as disruptive sleep patterns, loss of concentration, irritability, hyperactivity, etc.

What does intervention consist of?

In some of these situations, it can be helpful to organise « debriefing » sessions whereby the individuals exposed to the traumatic event can verbalise and share what they have experienced. We make crisis intervention specialists available to them, immediately if necessary. Their intervention combines compassionate listening, counselling, and advice on adequate coping strategies to achieve full recovery of the individuals.