The Trauma Response Program provides intervention to individuals (children, adolescents, and adults), families, groups, schools, hospitals, and businesses that have been exposed to a traumatic event. These events include, but are not limited to, suicide, fire, robbery, community violence, workplace death, loss through homicide, or natural disasters.
Services are available immediately following a traumatic event or shortly thereafter. The response is not psychotherapy, but instead a process aimed at reducing the effects of the traumatic event and helping the individual or group return to their previous level of functioning. Services are based on the principles of Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM). The goal of the services is to prevent the long-term effects of trauma, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or anxiety disorders, that can sometimes be the result of trauma. The services provided include:
- Group Defusing
- Group Debriefing
- Individual Crisis Intervention Services
- Follow-Up
- Referral
Through the intervention, participants process the event, the circumstances, and their thoughts and feelings associated with it, all of which assists in leading them toward recovery. Participants learn and discuss the normal responses to traumatic events and are provided education and symptom management techniques. Individuals in need of ongoing, longer term care are referred out to appropriate services in the community, such as grief counseling, mental health counseling, or support groups.
Services of the Trauma Response Program are available 24 hours a day by calling 716-834-3131 and asking for an Outreach Counselor.
OASIS
Open Arms, Survivors Impacted by Suicide
Have you lost a family member or close friend to suicide? Would like to volunteer in the Trauma Response Program at Crisis Services? If you would like to know more about being an OASIS Volunteer, please call 716-834-3131 and ask to speak to the Director of Emergency Mental Health Response Services.
