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What is critical incident debriefing? · Wellbeing Solutions - Ask A Counsellor

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  SPEAKER_00: What is critical instant debriefing?
• 0:03
  SPEAKER_00: Critical instant debriefing describes a process that may take place after a serious or potentially traumatic event, but it's important to understand that the term can mean different things.
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  SPEAKER_00: In a workplace or organization, an operational debrief might review what happened, how the incident was managed, what worked well, and whether procedures need to change.
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  SPEAKER_00: This is primarily about learning and improving the response to future incidents.
• 0:26
  SPEAKER_00: An emotional or psychological response needs to be approached differently.
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  SPEAKER_00: In the past, some forms of psychological debriefing involved bringing people together shortly after a traumatic event and encourage them to describe the experience and their emotional reactions in detail.
• 0:43
  SPEAKER_00: We now understand that people process traumatic experiences differently.
• 0:47
  SPEAKER_00: Someone shouldn't be pressured to recount an incident, discuss distressing details, or express emotions before they feel ready.
• 0:54
  SPEAKER_00: Immediately after a critical incident, the focus is generally better placed on psychological first aid.
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  SPEAKER_00: That means establishing safety, attending to practical needs, providing clear information, listening without pressure, and helping people connect with trusted and professional sources of support.
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  SPEAKER_00: It can also be helpful to give people simple information about reactions they may experience.
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  SPEAKER_00: After a frightening event, people might feel shocked, anxious, angry, numb, or unusually alert.
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  SPEAKER_00: They may have difficulty concentrating or sleeping or simply thinking about what happened repeatedly.
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  SPEAKER_00: Others may initially feel relatively unaffected.
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  SPEAKER_00: There isn't one correct way to respond.
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  SPEAKER_00: A supportive follow-up gives people opportunities to access help without assuming that everyone needs the same intervention.
• 1:47
  SPEAKER_00: Managers and colleagues can check in, ask what support would be helpful, and make sure people know how to access an employee assistance programme, occupational health, or appropriate psychological services.
• 1:58
  SPEAKER_00: If a formal operational debrief is needed, consider whether somebody directly affected by the incident is ready to participate and whether adjustments or additional support may be appropriate.
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  SPEAKER_00: Most people will gradually process a critical instant in their own way.
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  SPEAKER_00: However, if distress remains intense, worsens over time, or significantly affects sleep, relationships, work, or everyday functioning, professional psychological support may be helpful.
• 2:26
  SPEAKER_00: If someone isn't at immediate risk of harming themselves or somebody else or cannot be kept safe, urgent professional or emergency support should be sought.
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  SPEAKER_00: The purpose of responding after a critical incident isn't to make everybody talk about what happened.
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  SPEAKER_00: It's simply to create safety, offer compassionate and practical support, provide clear routes to further help, and allow each person to process the experience at their own pace.