Critical Incident Stress Management: Help for Trauma After a Shooting
An attempted assassination, shooting at a high school, healthcare workers facing a mass shooting, or young people killed in a crowd surge at a concert… All are examples of trauma that punches the air out of us like a roller coaster plunging at 5 G’s.
Unfortunately for clients, but fortunately for therapists, we are familiar with crisis. When the stories disappear into a salad of YouTube videos, who helps the victims or rescuers process the shocking thoughts and the arduous hours that come next? Many companies call on Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) professionals. These trained mental health professionals meet with groups hours or days after a mass shooting, bank robbery, natural disaster, or other traumatic event.
What is a Critical Incident Stress Management Group?
Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) groups or individual sessions are not psychotherapy. CISM groups and psychological first aid seek to:
- Stabilize and normalize reactions
- Educate on how traumatic events might influence the body and mind
- Establish coping skills
- Identify resources such as an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
For a city or a company hosting the CISM response, the goals can be simple: send a message that their employees are supported and show them resources that can help return them to high performance levels. Unlike group therapy, most of these Critical Incident Stress Management groups happen onsite close to or at the scene of an event and are one-time groups. Also, unlike psychotherapy, a CISM group is not the place where you tell your story of the traumatic event.
CISM Example: Houston Concert Crowd Surge
One example of how this practice provides vital support would be when CISM responders were used after a 2021 crowd surge at a Houston concert. Ten people died, aged 9 to 27 years old. Some of the survivors were teenagers working in crowded stores during the holidays.
Teenagers working in this climate might have physical responses like racing heart, sweating, or shaking. They may feel intense fear or panic and the urgent need to flee, run or escape.
CISM Example: Texas Drive-By Mass Shooting
Another example was a mass shooting in Baytown, Texas that same year. One person was killed, and 13 others were wounded in a drive-by. Victims poured into a local hospital. These medical providers, to do their jobs, might default to disconnection from the event to care for their patients.
As a CISM responder, I discovered that the teams performed brilliantly. But once the event ended, some medical providers faced sleep and eating disruptions. This is where CISM can help stabilize staff that must continue to provide optimal patient care.
The types of groups or individual sessions can be as varied as the traumatic events or a person’s perception of an event. But the combination of CISM, followed by aftercare, can be one of the most powerful groupings in a clinician’s effort to reduce the influence of post-traumatic stress and help a survivor search for healing.
CISM: Trauma After a Shooting
A shooting at a workplace, school, or other public place can have profound and long-lasting psychological effects on those who experience it. Witnessing such a violent event can trigger intense fear and helplessness, leading to trauma. Some people may have symptoms of PTSD, such as flashbacks, nightmares, extreme anxiety, and persistent thoughts about the event. The sudden, violent nature of a shooting can shatter a person’s sense of safety and security, creating a persistent fear that it could happen again.
Trauma after a shooting can also have a ripple effect, impacting not only those directly involved but also their families, friends, and the wider community. Survivors might struggle with feelings of guilt or anger, and their ability to function in daily life can be significantly impaired.
This can lead to difficulties in relationships, work performance, and overall well-being. Additionally, the communal nature of places like schools or workplaces means that a shooting can erode the sense of community and trust, making it difficult for individuals to feel safe and supported in these environments again.
In the aftermath of such an event, it’s crucial to provide psychological support and counseling to help individuals process their experiences and begin to heal. This support can help mitigate the long-term impacts of trauma, fostering resilience and recovery. Early intervention and ongoing mental health care are essential in helping survivors rebuild their sense of security and navigate the path to emotional well-being.
Professional Critical Incident Stress Management Services
Prasad Counseling and Training provides professional CISM services for companies and organizations across the United States and internationally. I have been called out to handle the needs of employees and their family members following a traumatic event such as the effects of gun violence. It is important to provide crisis management support to your team. This helps address their mental health needs and creates a safe and productive work environment.
See our webpage on our CISM services for more information. Follow us on social media to stay connected to more information and support regarding mental health matters.
