CISM is not a replacement for professional support services such as counselling and therapy, nor is it a guarantee that longer lasting stress following trauma won’t occur. Seeking support through the CISM team and talking to our volunteer peers is an incredible step to take following the experience of a critical incident which can help to mitigate longer lasting impacts of trauma.

Critical incidents may produce a wide range of stress symptoms, which may appear immediately at the scene, a few hours later or within days of an incident. Stress symptoms usually occur in four different categories: Cognitive (thinking), Physical (body), Emotional (feelings) and Behavioral (actions). People may experience a range of symptoms to varying severity, and no two stress responses are the same.