December 15, 2008
Alfred Ulroan from Chevak, Liz Smith from Atmautluak, Louis Mallette, Sr. from Lower Kalskag-all village-based Behavioral Health Aides-recently met with people in the village of Chevak as part of a Critical Incident Stress Management team. The team included Carl Evans (not pictured) with YKHC's CHAP Support Program.
Critical Incident Intervention in Chevak
by Carl Evans, CHAP Support Counselor
Four members of the Bethel Area CISM (Critical Incident Stress Management) Team recently responded to the accidental shooting death of a young girl in Chevak.
The team-Alfred Ulroan from Chevak, Liz Smith from Atmautluak, Louis Mallette, Sr. from Lower Kalskag (all village-based Behavioral Health Aides) and Carl Evans, CHAP Support Program from Bethel-met with school staff, individual students, classes and family members over a two-day period.
Critical incidents can raise stress levels dramatically and can cause powerful emotional reactions for those who are involved in the event or have a connection to those involved. Critical Incident Stress Management is a formal, structured process for helping those involved in a critical incident share their experiences and learn about stress reactions and symptoms. Referrals for additional help can be made if further help is needed.
The Bethel Area CISM Team has 45 trained members who may be asked to respond to an incident. There will be a three-day training offered in February, 2009, in Bethel for those who are interested in becoming CISM certified.
If you would like to request a CISM intervention, please contact Louis Mallette, Jr., CISM Program Director, at 907-543-6093, or at louis_mallette@ykhc.org.
