Debriefing: Your Path to Unloading Tensions

The Community-based Peer Support Project to be launched early in January will employ a technique called “debriefing” which really boils down to unloading emotions and tensions triggered by a traumatic event. It’s helpful to most persons who are experiencing the normal tensions, fears or anxieties experienced in the recovery process.

The programme pairs a professional in the counselling field with respected community leaders, such as ministers of religion and teachers as group facilitators, and sessions last for just six weeks.

The groups will offer information, education and stress management skills and will also serve as a forum for participants to discuss ways of solving problems and share strategies for coping.

Dr. Marc Lockhart, consultant psychiatrist at both the Cayman Islands and the Chrissie Tomlinson Memorial hospitals, explains the difference in the terms “debriefing” and “counselling”:

“Debriefing is commonly used in professions that frequently deal with tragedy such as fire fighters, emergency room doctors and police officers.” Otherwise called Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD), it is a highly structured and time-limited activity used with those who experience traumatic events. It is highly directive: people in the group are assisted to review the event and their reactions. It is focused on helping people organize their thoughts about what has happened and their reactions, and debriefing also has a strong educative component.

“In contrast, counseling is traditionally a one-to-one activity used in response to all sorts of personal difficulties and is driven by the client's agenda. The counsellor helps the client explore issues in a non-directive fashion over a varying number of sessions,” he said.

One thing that both counselling and debriefing have in common, however, is that participating in either does not indicate weakness and does not mean one has a mental illness, Dr. Lockhart explained.

Community-based Peer Support Group

Persons interested in participating in a support group can fill out a form at the Disaster Assistance Centre or the public health clinic in their district. A public health nurse or community mental health nurse will contact each individual to determine if he/she is best suited to the support group or might benefit more from individual counseling.

George Town DAC is now open Monday to Friday 12:00 noon to 6:00pm. Located at Compass Building on corner of Shedden Road and North Sound Way tel: 547-7491

The following DACs are open Monday, Wednesday and Friday 12:00 noon to 6:00 pm. Bodden Town: MLA office in Bright Dayz Plaza tel: 547-7492 North Side: United Church tel: 547-7490 West Bay: MLA office, 3 Heritage Square (at Four Way Stop) tel: 547-7494

East End DAC is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10am - 4pm. Located at District Health Clinic tel: 547-7493

Persons with or without previous counselling experience and who are interested in facilitating a District Peer Counselling Group should sign up for the next training seminar in January by calling 949-9000. Community representatives, teachers, human resources professionals with public relations experience, ministers and parents/PTA members may be interested in this opportunity.

Counselling Information

“Seeing a counsellor on an individual basis can be helpful since your privacy is maintained and you are free to discuss feelings and problems that are concerning you at the time,” according to Dr. Lockhart.

Adults seeking counselling may contact Mental Health Outpatient Services on 244-2650, Dr. Clement Von Kirchenheim on 244-2726, Kathryn Dinspel-Powell, on 325-5245/325-5244, or the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), on 949-9559 to make an appointment.

For children, contact Dr. Antonia Hawkins, at the Cayman Islands Hospital, on 244-2650/244-2668.