Supporting Your Team through Critical Incidents: The Importance of Post Critical Incident Stress Debriefing

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Supporting Your Team through Critical Incidents: The Importance of Post Critical Incident Stress Debriefing

18
Jul

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Supporting Your Team through Critical Incidents: The Importance of Post Critical Incident Stress Debriefing

Workplace mental health frameworks often concentrate on individuals dealing with cumulative stress from heavy workloads and home challenges. While beneficial, these frameworks frequently neglect the processes and procedures needed for acute stressors impacting an entire group or team. At Tidal Training, we advocate for incorporating Post Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) into your organisation’s standard framework, training individuals to facilitate stress reduction after acute stress incidents.

What is Post Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD)?

Following the Mitchell model, CISD is a supportive crisis intervention process designed to assist groups or teams immediately after an acute stress incident. It is not psychotherapy but aims to reduce distress and restore group cohesion during a time of crisis.

When is CISD Applicable?

A ‘critical incident’ refers to a traumatic event impacting a group. CISD is particularly beneficial in workplace or community settings, preparing for potential incidents causing acute stress. It can be applied to events such as:

  • The sudden death of a colleague, partner, or community member.
  • Any workplace accident.
  • The loss of a patient or client after long-term care.
  • Large-scale traumatic events like COVID-19, the Grenfell Tower fire, or the Manchester bombings.

Regardless of the event’s size, CISD seeks to alleviate and resolve the resulting trauma, acute stress, and psychological distress.

Why is CISD Helpful?

During a critical incident, the natural stress response can lead to overall distress, where demands exceed abilities and coping strategies, negatively impacting wellbeing and performance. Critical incidents can also disrupt group dynamics, creating isolation, low morale, and lost cohesion.

CISD provides group stress facilitation, helping teams or community groups to demobilise, defuse, and debrief after acute stress. It aims to:

  • Show care and support.
  • Provide access to help and information.
  • Encourage communication and group cohesion.
  • Deliver coping strategies for unfamiliar circumstances.

While not offering one-to-one support or psychotherapy, CISD can identify individuals needing additional follow-up support, especially those facing cumulative and acute stress.

Incorporating CISD into Your Framework

As a unique form of group facilitation, CISD is often overlooked in mental health support frameworks. To incorporate CISD, we recommend:

  • Developing positive relationships and morale within the group.
  • Identifying individuals suited for debriefing and facilitation roles.
  • Providing training in CISD and Psychological First Aid (PFA).
  • Identifying peer supporters to monitor and support individuals needing ongoing help.

At Tidal Training, we’ve developed advanced CISD training to support teams in preparing for unexpected traumatic events. Our training is used by NHS Trusts, Emergency Services, Refugee Camps, Care Homes, Religious Establishments, and Community Groups across the UK as part of event preparedness and risk management.

Take Action Now

Ensure your team is prepared for any critical incident. Speak to our team on 01242 371 999 for more information or visit our CISD course page to learn more. For additional insights, read our previous blog on Strengthen Resilience and Support with Critical Incident Stress Debriefing Facilitator Training.

We are excited to announce that our next open course on Post Critical Incident Stress Debrief Facilitator Training will be delivered via Zoom in November 2025. This comprehensive training session is scheduled for the 17th, 18th, and 19th of September. It’s an excellent opportunity for organisations to equip their teams with essential skills in managing and reducing stress following critical incidents. Don’t miss out on this chance to enhance your team’s resilience and preparedness. For more information and to secure your place, visit our event page.