Learning From The Past and Planning For The Future
MENTAL HEALTH MOMENT October 20, 2000 ""Advice is what we ask for when we already know the answer but wish we didn't." - Erica Jong LINKS AND SHORT TOPICS
LINKS AND SHORT TOPICS
October 27-19: "Spirituality, psychotherapy and healing," third annual conference, Center for Spirituality and Psychotherapy (CSP), New York. The conference will focus on how to apply spiritual practices to psychotherapy, including prayer, intuition, Christian and Jewish mysticism, Jungian principles, Buddhism, shamanism, A Course in Miracles, energy psychology and energy healing. Ten workshops on October 27 will teach a range of methods including mind-body, African spiritual practices and tantra. Contact: CSP, (212) 582-1566; email: CSPofNIP@cs.com Web site: http://www.psychospiritualtherapy.org/
November 3-5: "Scottsdale 2000 Headache Symposium," American Headache Society, Scottsdale, Arizona. Topics will include advances in the pathophysiology and genetics of the primary headache; treatment of migraine, tension-type and cluster headaches, use of abortive and prophylactic therapy; and women's issues related to headache. Contact: AHS, 19 Mantua Road, Mt. Royal, NJ 08061, (856)423-0043; fax: (856)423-0082; email: ahshq@talley.com
China Tour Information https://www.angelfire.com/biz3/odocspan/china1.html
||| Contents: Volume 1 ||| Contents: Volume 2 ||| ||| Mental Health Moment Online |||
INCIDENT DEBRIEFING Part II
Phases Of An Incident Debriefing Session Remember that the incident debriefing session is specifically designed for the disaster victims. The phases of an incident debriefing session are: 1. Introduction 2. The facts 3. The emotional reaction 4. The symptoms 5. Education 6. Stabilization 1. Introduction Reception - Presentation The psychosocial practitioner is presented by the person who is significant for the group. Goal of the Activity * To help the people to express the feelings they experienced. * To help them understand their emotional reactions and their behavior. * To encourage the return to dynamic equilibrium. Confidentiality * The psychosocial practitioner emphasizes the importance of the absolute confidentiality of the information given. * The participants agree among themselves that they will not reveal any details which could be attributed to a specific person. * The participants must be sure that discussing their feelings openly will in no way be used against them. The Facts Presentation The participants are invited to: * introduce themselves ~ first name only * describe what happened to them when the disaster occurred: ~ where they were ~ what they heard ~ what they saw ~ what they felt ~ what they did Procedure In turn, each participant adds details which enables the incident to be recreated mentally. 3. The Emotional Reaction Prerequisite For This Stage All the participants have shared enough facts for the incident to be relived. Questions To The Participants * What was your reaction when the incident occurred? * What is your reaction now? * Did this experience have repercussions in your life? Discussion Topics * The participants discuss, in a general manner, their fears, anxieties, worries, feelings of guilt, frustration, anger and ambivalence. Rules * All these positive or negative emotions must be expressed and listened to. * Do not ask questions probing deeper into a person's reactions. This activity is not group therapy. Procedure Participants * The participants each have the opportunity to take turns answering these and other questions regarding their emotions. * The participants begin a discussion. Practitioner * The session takes place with a minimum amount of orientation by the practitioner. In certain cases, the practitioner may have almost no need to intervene at all. * He/she must ensure that no one is omitted from the discussion or dominates it at the others' expense. 4. The Symptoms Questions To The Participants * What unusual reactions did you feel at the time of the incident? * What unusual reactions do you feel now? * Has your life changed since the incident? In what way? Rules * Invite the participants to discuss the repercussions that this experience has had in their family and professional lives. * The participants describe the symptoms of the reactions to stress in their own terms. 5. Education Aims To explain the symptoms of the reactions to stress to the participants. Important Message It is normal for a human being to show various signs, symptoms and emotional reactions toward an incident which he/she has experienced. However, if these symptoms are too intense or persist, it is important to consult a professional. 6. Stabilization Objectives Of This Phase * To enable the individuals who wish to add something more. * To deal with any unanswered questions. * To provide comfort. * To provide information about assistance available in the organization or in the community. * To review the meeting - to verify whether the participants found the meeting helpful and what follow-up they would like to have. Follow-up To The Incident Debriefing Session * The groups need guidelines or an activity to ensure solidarity. * Depending on the situation, this type of incident debriefing activity should possibly be repeated. Problems Associated With Incident Debriefing Sessions There are a variety of problems that occur during group debriefings. Below are some potential problems and ways to manage the situation. People who want to leave Remind them that all we are asking of them is for them to tell us what their job was and what they witnessed at the incident. Also, state that what they have to say could be very helpful to others in the group. If anyone leaves, have a designated team member talk to them, encouraging them to stay, and if they choose not to, tell them how they can reach a member of the team later on. 2. Long Talkers During a pause, thank them for their contribution and clearly ask: "Is there anyone else who would like to add something at this point in time?" If more than one person is talking too much, clearly ask: "Is there anyone who hasn't contributed as yet on this aspect pf the incident who would like to speak now?" 3. People in profound grief Let them release it. Offer a tissue. Do not violate their privacy, but offer symbolic support. Touch base with them at the end of the session and make sure that they are all right. 4. Someone who cries and then leaves Have a peer follow them out. Take them for a walk and talk... if appropriate. Encourage them to return. If they do not, offer them support outside the group. Make sure the group leader deals with this issue if the member does not return. 5. Blamers Thank them for their concern and for focusing on the issue. Remind them that we will have a critiquing session later and that now is the time to talk about their experience at the incident. Ask them what it was like when they experienced that problem personally...without analyzing the cause or responsibilities. 6. Problem solvers Thank them for their comments. Tell them that we will be doing this in a subsequent session and redirect the group to another issue. 7. Discussing previous trauma incidents If it is prolonged, affirm that it is quite normal for old incidents to come back to mind, then redirect the group to the current incident. 8. Silent members Keep an eye on them. Ask a member of the team to touch base with them at the end of the session. 9. Group membership problems Screen your group as carefully as you can before beginning the session. If the group includes members who should not be there, pull them aside and redirect them elsewhere (individual debriefing, if necessary). If this comes out at the beginning of the session, take a time-out if necessary and problem solve. Don't run a group with the wrong mix. Examples Of Debriefing Activities Incident debriefing activities are a simple but effective way of helping the population to express its experience and emotions in order to be able to continue a normal life. The incident debriefing session takes different forms depending on the group and age of the participants. It is performed through activities in which an interactive exchange can be created. The list of ways to lead these activities are the same as for the debriefing session. The same rules are used and the same objectives are targeted. Below are a few examples of activities according to age group: For young children: * Drawing workshop * Puppet theater * Interactive story For children: * Drawing workshop * Organize a letter-box For the adolescent: * A forum type event in which each person tells his/her story. For adults * An incident debriefing session For the elderly * Group discussion in the form of a round table discussion Preliminary Steps In Organizing Incident Debriefing Session Activities A. Specific groups * Primary clientele takes priority B. The partners * Significant persons for the group * Persons in charge of organizations * Important figure within the community C. Information to be gathered Find out certain fears and reactions within the specific group: Who has spoken to you about them? e.g. the persons themselves who will be attending the meeting. * Has the media coverage created more fear than the actual situation? * The people in charge of the groups, the significant people who alerted the team. Has this group been influenced? e.g. The children bring the adults' worries to school. They have heard their parents talking in the evening. Are there any rumors or behaviors which have intensified the group's reactions? e.g. Is fear being propogated throughout the community? Is the group composed of different cultural communities? Certain beliefs, traditions and customs can influence reactions, fears and the expression of them. e.g. Certain cultural communities do not encourage the expression of emotions. Sometimes the group may end up being very silent. D. The homogeneity of the group * Primary, secondary and tertiary clienteles and according to age group, if possible. E. Debriefing activity * Are the tools provided significant for the target clientele? F. The physical, material organization * Take into account the living environment of each group. G. Publicity * Who do we wish to reach and how shall we organize the groups (e.g. registration of participants)? Preliminary Steps To Organize Incident Debriefing Session Activities Consider what you would do if and when called upon to organize an incident debriefing session. First of all, you must clarify certain points. The following questions can be used as part of a worksheet to help you plan. A. Which specific groups should attend an incident debriefing in the community? B. For each of these groups: * Which member of the community/partner/significant person should you take into consideration in organizing the incident debriefing session? C. What type of incident debriefing session would you select for these groups? D. Where will the various incident debriefing sessions be held? ************************************************************ For further information on this topic in books, go to the url below. Begin searching by trying the following descriptors in the search box: Debriefing, critical incidents, disasters and debriefing, debriefing groups, debriefing and age, etc. https://www.angelfire.com/biz/odochartaigh/searchbooks.html ************************************************************* Contact your local Mental Health Center or check the yellow pages for counselors, psychologists, therapists, and other Mental health Professionals in your area for further information. ************************************************************** George W. Doherty O'Dochartaigh Associates Box 786 Laramie, WY 82073-0786 MENTAL HEALTH MOMENT Online: https://www.angelfire.com/biz3/news
