Managing Trauma

Detox not Debrief - Quick version

This is a difficult time and many staff will experience things they have never experienced before. Due to high stress, many staff will be more on edge, reactive, and possibly tearful. However, stress and anxiety are natural responses, and anxiety right now can be adaptive as it allows staff to stay alert. It can be tempting to rush to rescue and provide a “debrief” but if enforced or led by untrained people it can actually be damaging. However there are ways to enable staff to “process” the trauma. The following is a quick guide adapted from guidance from the COVID Trauma Response Working Group (please see the full guidance for more detail) www.traumagroup.org.