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 History
of the CISMT at UTPA
In the Fall of 2000, the university began looking at what protocols
were available to the university and community in the event
of a major critical incident. After assessing the need for an
organization to address possible critical incidents, a group
of university officials underwent formal training and certification
in Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM). From this, the
University of Texas – Pan American’s CISM team was
born. Today, CISMT has grown and is comprised of staff, faculty,
and administrators. |
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What
is a critical incident?
A critical incident is any event that occurs outside the realm
of usual human experience, which evokes markedly distressing
reactions such as intense fear, helplessness, and horror. Examples
of some critical incidents include auto accidents, sudden or
unexpected death, sexual assault, violent crimes, suicide, homicide,
or any life-threatening event to self, or the observance of
the above mentioned. Critical incidents can also result from
natural or man-made disasters such as fire, flood, earthquake,
tornado, hurricane, terrorism, community disaster, or hostage
situation.
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What
is CISM?
Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) is a comprehensive,
integrated, multi-component crisis intervention program that
requires the assistance of mental health professionals and emergency/high
risk workers. CISM, with goals of crisis stabilization and mitigation
of symptoms associated with trauma, has become the worldwide
standard of care for intervening in critical incidents. Whether
in the community, occupational settings, or on an individual
basis, CISM is a powerful approach in responding to a crisis.
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What
is a CISMT?
The Critical Incident Stress Management Team (CISMT) is composed
of university staff, faculty, and administration volunteers
who are involved in one or several activities of critical incident
stress management. CISMT members will be involved in demobilization,
defusing, debriefing, intervention, family support, follow-up
and referral, professional support service delivery, or general
support services delivery. University employees who are interested
in volunteering on the team need not have specialized crisis
intervention training; members are needed and welcomed in all
capacities and skill levels.
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you would like to be a member or would like more information
regarding the CISMT, please contact the director of the Counseling
Center at 956/381-2574 or e-mail at counseling@panam.edu.
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