Stress Management – Your Web of Support
Our friends and family generally form a nice web of support that makes the day-to-day hassles and occasional crises more palatable. They can be counted on to:
- Help put things in perspective
- Point out the big "rocks"
- Make us laugh
- Bring us warm fuzzies
- Care about us even when we are crabby
- Give us space when we need it
Research tells us that people who are connected to someone (church, friends, family, support groups) live longer and are healthier.
One of the challenges of being an EMS responder and dealing with difficult situations is not being able to talk about it with our family and friends because of confidentiality. In addition, most people don’t really understand the kind of stress that you are confronted with.
It’s important to remember that although you cannot talk about the specifics, you can:
- Give yourself permission to fell badly and share your feelings with others. Talking is a healing medicine. Our family and friends can’t read our mind although they can tell when something is wrong. Let them know what would be helpful to you, including saying I just need you to listen
- Spend time with others. Immersing yourselves in the present moment can be deeply satisfying. It doesn’t take away the stress but it does lessen the impact on you.
- Finally, don’t forget to talk to yourself in a kind and caring manner. Our self-talk frequently focuses on the negative, which tends to increase our stress and fatigue. Be aware of what you are saying to yourself and challenge yourself to focus on something positive. If you cannot find anything positive at least keep the self-talk on neutral ground.
Join the spiders and enjoy the web of support that family and friends can provide. It is an important item in your stress management toolbox.
What Is A Critical Incident?
Emergency response personnel operate under a variety of stressors: the uncertainty of the next call, the human tragedies involved, the hazards associated with the rescue, and the fear of doing something wrong.
Most often we can cope with these stressors and consider them as "part of the job." Some situations, however, cause lasting impressions which can challenge our ability to function on the job and at home. It is these situations which produce the unusually strong emotional reactions that are referred to as critical incidents.
It can be:
- a sudden death or serious injury of an infant or child
- a prolonged rescue effort
- a responder knowing the victim or family
- an injury or death of co-worker
"There is no training in the world, no person in the world who can stand the constant bombardment of human misery without help."
Jeffrey T. Mitchell, Ph.D.
How Can A Critical Incident Affect Me?
Normal symptoms following a critical incident can include preoccupation, insomnia, loss of appetite, difficulty in concentration, flashbacks, or feelings such as guilt, hopelessness, anxiety, or simply helplessness.
Although these reactions are considered normal, they can have a serious effect on the emergency responder's physical and emotional well-being.
What Is A Critical Incident Stress Debriefing?
A Debriefing:
- is a group session led by a CISM Team of specially trained individuals
- is not a critique or a performance evaluation
- helps participants to focus on the event and share their thoughts and feelings
- is confidential
- is usually conducted within a 60-90 minute time frame
How Does A Debriefing Help?
Emergency response personnel benefit from a Debriefing because it:
- provides a supportive and caring atmosphere
- helps participants to identify the signs/ symptoms of normal reactions
- reduces feelings of isolation and inadequacy
- contributes to the prevention of burn-out
- provides reassurance and support to others
- provides better coping skills for future incidents
Who Can Use This Program?
CISM services are available free to first responders, ambulance crews, hospital staff, dispatchers, peace officers, fire-fighters, and other members of the emergency response system in the eleven county area of Southeastern Minnesota.
How Do You Activate The CISM Team?
Any member of an emergency response
organization may request the CISM Team by calling the 24-hour toll free number.
1.800.237.6822
Additional Information On CISM Program?
Individual Support Services
Critical incidents that cause one provider to suffer the impacts of stress may
have little to no effect on others. Confidential one-on-one support
service is also available through the CISM program.
Continuing Education Services
SE MN EMS has developed a CEU presentation that will offer you up-to-date information on the many support services available. This one-hour interactive program includes, video, overheads, and hand-outs. It is available at no cost for emergency response personnel in Southeastern Minnesota. If you would like to schedule this informative CEU program, please call the Regional EMS office.