Montgomery County Critical Incident Stress Management Team

Montgomery Hospital Medical Center Stress Mitigation

Safety and maintaining health are critical. Attention to health basics such as water, sanitation, food, shelter, and protective gear will reduce the risk of disease and limit the spread of infection.

 Those in need may not respond positively to offers of assistance. They may actually be wary of or fear those who are attempting to offer help. Calm and compassionate reassurance will generally be effective even if a victim’s initial behavior is irrational, difficult, or seems like an “attack.”

 Populations at particular risk for problems include the mentally ill, the medically ill, the elderly, and children. Also, as immigrants may avoid or flee help for fear of deportation special effort must be made to convey the message that an approach is an offer of assistance.

 Staying aware of each others’ stress level is critical to maintaining the effectiveness of recovery and assistance efforts. Simple interventions, such as providing a rest area with cots and washing stations, fluids and food, that is protected from news media and onlookers, encouraging resting off of one’s feet during breaks, watching out for over-dedication to task, and engaging persons in conversation/topics of their choosing, and praising others efforts and assistance go a long way to maintaining effectiveness.

 In speaking with the public, reliable, repeated, accurate, and up-to-date information about safety concerns, response plans, and available resources is calming.

 Emergency Workers are exposed to the losses and injury of others. The medical community must monitor each other’s stress level and help one another manage as they help the larger community.

 Proper sleep, nutrition, and exercise are critical to sustaining the rebuilding effort in Emetency Workers and community members. Emergency Workers should also be aware of their own limitations and potential for injury.

 Recreation, regular exercise, and other healthy outlets help maintain energy and alleviate stress. Excessive alcohol use detracts from efficiency on the job and may be dangerous.

 Regularly planned and scheduled communication with family members back home is important not only for the family—but for the workers themselves.

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