COVID-19 AND CISM
It is vitally important during this difficult time that CISM teams continue to be available and ready to respond when called. The way this response looks may change significantly. We want everyone to know that MCRA is still 'open for business' and available to assist when needed.
As we navigate our way through this COVID-19 Pandemic, I am certain our services will be necessary at some time in the near future, possibly on a scale that we may not be accustomed to. Certainly some geographic regions will be hit much harder than others. Like other aspects relative to this virus, if we provide an early response I believe our chances to get ahead of this will be much better. One of the ways to provide immediate services is to connect with the local agencies you would commonly work with, and provide them with educational literature on coping with stress, resiliency and grief. Also just by making contact with them, it gives them a sense of security, knowing that your team is still out there willing to help in these uncertain times.
I would like our teams to be prepared for the most efficient and minimal exposures we can anticipate. The CISM services we provide may look different than what we are accustomed to doing. Some of the ways to provide these services may be done by tele-cism, or by using programs such as Zoom, Skype, Go to Meeting or any of the other electronic video / voice communication methods. If we can be proactive and be involved with our local Emergency Management Teams to offer our services for Crisis Management Briefings (via the media) and utilize more One on One interventions, we may decrease our need to offer Defusings and Debriefings, thus reducing our risk for exposures.
CMB's and One on One's may be done virtually. We are putting together some information to help with that. In the meantime, here is information from the CDC about Mental Health and Coping.
As more information becomes available we will pass this on to you, so standby for additional ways, means and techniques we may work with, to utilize our teams in the safest manner possible, while providing the our services to the best of our abilities.
In closing, please do your best to stay healthy, practice your mindfulness, resiliency and self-care techniques.
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