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Debriefing following exposure to trauma

Discussions and general chat about PTSD. Feel free to introduce yourself or if you need help, please reach out and ask.
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sophiebutty
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Debriefing following exposure to trauma

Post by sophiebutty »

Hi,

I'm a third year Medical Student who's currently applying to the RN. I'm doing a research project into the protocol within the military after personnel have been exposed to traumatic incidents, particularly looking at any debriefings which may occur and if these are compulsory.

I realise this is a very delicate topic and apologise if anyone feels I have over stepped the mark and please tell me to sling my hook if I have.

Thanks

Sophie
Rogue Chef
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Post by Rogue Chef »

Ahoy there!
I attended a military "Critical Incident Stress Debriefing Course" around 2000.
The idea was to train military personnel in order to provide debriefers on demand for personnel who wanted to talk to somebody following any form of traumatic event. Personnel were encouraged to attend debriefings but it was not compulsory.
The debriefers were trained to listen and let people get things off their chests. The debriefings concluded by explaining that anyone who felt they wanted/needed further counselling or help, this time provided by trained medical staff, it was available.
From a personal point of view I thought the course and the staff were all a bit "touchy feely" (although the senior medical officer was a bit of alright). I also got the impression that it was the first stage of preventing litigation (ie HM Forces was covering its back).
I have been exposed to a number of traumatic incidents during my service and in civvy street and have always believed that a robust (not brutal or uncaring) approach is most beneficial but each case treated as required.

Hope this was useful (if only a tiny bit).

P.S. Whereabouts in Liverpool are you from? I'm originally from Birkenhead.
Artist
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Post by Artist »

It's just a shame that they didn't do this sort of thing back in 70's/80's. Quite a few blokes I knew could have benifited from this. Myself included.

And yes Steve I reckon your spot on ref Pusser covering his back. Mores the pity. It would be nice to be able to trust the people who say they are only there to help blokes and lasses and not there to cover Pussers back in the event of these people sueing Pusser for mental problems in later life.

Artist
Rogue Chef
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Post by Rogue Chef »

Ahoy there!

I think the staff and the course were full of good intentions. But I also thought that if people with a problem are offered the debriefings and refuse, it helps Pusser's case further down the line if they try to sue. Ironically it may be that those who do refuse debriefings are ultimately going to be the ones who genuinely need them.

Personally the best debriefings were with your mates, plenty of beer and and a redders curry!
harry hackedoff
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Post by harry hackedoff »

Trauma Risk Management is how it`s described now.
It isn`t perfect but it`s better than what went on previously. The Corps has set itself the standard of being "Best Practitioners" within HM Forces (and the WO II who told me about it said they are).
It doesn`t matter how good the system is though, if the counsellor doesn`t believe in it and only did the course as a dodge.
The covering of backs aspect? Hmmm, dunno how well that would stand up in court"he was offerred help but he refused" well he would do seeing as he was suffering from PTSD.
As I understand it, TRM was started as a genuine attempt to improve the early detection and treatment of the condition.
And that`s a good thing.
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sophiebutty
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Post by sophiebutty »

Thanks so much for all the replies.

The evidence does seem to support TRiM as being beneficial as it identifies personnel who may be struggling and gets them specialised help sooner. The process of compulsory debriefing which occurred before has been shown to be more harmful to recovery than no intervention. TRiM is also more popular with Marines as it is delivered by "their own" and so it's more likely they'll attend.

Btw I'm from Allerton

Thanks again

Sophie
Artist
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Post by Artist »

I did in fact hear that some Fire Brigades have had this form of help available to blokes and Lasses who've been though the mill for a fair few years.

I just wonder if the forces took a leaf out of the Fire Brigades book.

Artist
harry hackedoff
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Post by harry hackedoff »

The MOD have known about this for years and the best in the world are the Israelis.
Why aren`t the British the best? Obviously it has nowt to do with money :roll:
When we visited CS I was told that, per capita, the Ethiopian Govt spends far more on it`s Servicemen than the MOD do.
The Ethiopians for feks sake. :o
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Littlegreen
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Post by Littlegreen »

I found the TRiM training very valuable, and have been able to put it to good use. It isn't a detailed, complex or challenging system. In fact, I rather felt that it highlighted to us things that we already knew, but pushed those concerns to the forefront, allowing us to call upon the knowledge when required. It also comes with a handy aide-memoire, which fits nicely in the TAMs.

LG
sophiebutty
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Post by sophiebutty »

Hi,

Just thought I'd let you know that I got a distinction for the work I did on PTSD. I would just like to say a massive thanks to all of you who offered advice. You gave it a personal angle and helped me to understand the true gravity. Oh I got in the Navy too.

Massive thanks again guys. Hope you're all well.

Soph
xxxx
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