OVERVIEW NOVAS CRISIS INTERVENTION MODEL GROUP CRISIS INTERVENTION

OVERVIEW NOVA’S CRISIS INTERVENTION MODEL GROUP CRISIS INTERVENTION GCI

CRISIS REACTION w PHYSICAL Immobilization (“frozen fright”) Mobilization (fight, flight, or adapt) Exhaustion (problem of sleep)

CRISIS REACTION w EMOTIONAL Shock, Disbelief, Denial, Regression Cataclysmic emotions Fear, Anger, Confusion, Frustration, Guilt, Shame, Grief Reconstruction of (new) equilibrium

DIAGRAMMING A DISASTER BY TYPE: Disaster Impact w Step One: Determine the cause of the disaster: natural, human, technological w Step Two: Determine the element involved: earth, wind, fire, water, people w Step Three: Determine issues of concern: sensorial, duration, conceptual

Diagramming a Disaster w Sensorial Involvement Smell Taste Touch Sight Auditory

Diagramming a Disaster Chronology w Pre-disaster Equilibrium Previous disaster history Cultural/economic tensions w Warning Characterized by anxiety Disaster subcultures Credible vs. non-credible

Diagramming a Disaster Chronology w Threat Responses vary: emotional problem-solving disengagement or “blunting”

Diagramming a Disaster Chronology w Impact Timing may add to sense of unreality Time warp Duration Survival issues Community pre-occupation Low point vs. no low point

Diagramming a Disaster Chronology w. Inventory Disorientation Silence Assessment/triage

Diagramming a Disaster Chronology w Rescue w Remedy/Mitigation Disaster euphoria Disillusionment w Adjustment Stages

Diagramming a Disaster Spatial Dimensions w Convergence w Proximity w Remoteness w Geographic Spread

Diagramming a Disaster w Role Dimensions w Assessment of Social Disruption Practical Emotional w Distinguishing Features of Community Tragedy

Elements of Crisis Intervention w Safety and Security w Ventilation and Validation w Prediction and Preparation

Group Crisis Intervention(GCI) Techniques w Purpose: Address large numbers Provide peer validation Provide written validation through scribe Begin repair of community’s social fabric Educate community members Affirm hope for the future

Group Crisis Intervention w Logistics Who and How Many? Where? When? How Long? Setup

Group Crisis Intervention Roles w Lead Facilitator w Support Facilitator – “Scribe” w Other GCI Supporters

NOVA Basic GCI Process w Introduction w Ground Rules w Questions Sensorial, Memories, Prediction and Preparation, Follow-up w Education/Summary

Special Issues Death w Emotions: Fear, Anger, Guilt, Shame w Loss w Grief w Death Notification

Special Issues Long Term Stress w Post-Trauma Character Changes w Trigger Events w Secondary Injuries

Special Issues Spirituality w Trauma Impacts Faith w Power of Prayer in Crisis w Power of Ritual in Crisis w Ethical Guidelines for Helpers Survivors are Vulnerable Respect Ritual and Practices

Special Issues Culture w Matrix of Influences w Cultural Action Plan Education Geography, History, Rituals and Routines Entrance into a Different Culture Respect and Good Will

Special Issues Children w Developmental Stages w Spasmodic Crisis Reactions w Death Issues w Lack of Denial w Grief w Impact of Parent Loss

Special Issues Elders w Challenges of Aging w Season of Losses w Trauma Shatters Beliefs

Organizing Crisis Response Teams w Goals Assist local caregivers in planning Support local caregivers Train local caregivers Provide crisis intervention

Organizing Crisis Response Teams w Levels of Service w Team Member Roles: HQ Staff, Team Leader, Team Manager, Media Liaison, Others (“Worker Bees”) w Local Host w Flow of Activities