Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) was originally formulated in 1974. It is a model of crisis intervention that is designed to provide urgent and acute psychological help for people that have experienced a disaster or tragedy. The goals of CISM are to stabilize and reduce symptoms of distress (e.g. anger, depression, anxiety, or sorrow), improve adaptive functioning, and facilitate access to additional levels of support. Although originally designed to assist first responders, it has become an international model for helping people cope with crisis situations.

High Plains MHC sponsored a CISM Group Crisis Intervention Class earlier this month. Don Gruver, Assistant Director of Harvey County 9-1-1 taught the course and shared over 30-years of experience in emergency services with the 32 participants. The class was truly a cross-section of Northwest Kansas with representation from law enforcement, emergency management, fire/ems, hospitals, faith community, school systems, disability services, and mental health. The evaluations of the course were very positive and many participants want to stay in touch with one another in order to help our communities deal with the aftermath of tragedies. When it comes to these group interventions (also known as debriefings) it is very beneficial to have trained peers lead the group and mental health professionals in a supportive role. With such an impressive turnout for our area, we now have a number of peers trained in ways to help people when they may be at their lowest and most vulnerable.

For more information on CISM, visit the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation.