Critical Incident Support
If you are an employer and you require support, counseling, or critical incident debriefing for your employees, click on the button to fill out the form below.
What is a Critical Incident?
The World Health Organisation (WHO); describes a critical incident as an event out of the range of normal experience – one which is sudden and unexpected, involves the perception of a threat to life and can include elements of physical and emotional loss.
A critical incident can take many forms and occur anywhere. Examples of critical incidents that could occur in the workplace include:
Death of an employee (either in the line-of-duty or through a workplace incident)
Severe or life-threatening injury to employees
A near miss that threatens the health and safety of employees
Suicide of an employee
Loss of a patient after rescue attempts
Death or critical incident involving children
Violence inflicted on employee (including sexual assault)
Violent crime in or near the workplace
Events with excessive media interest
Natural disasters that affect work
How to Know When Help is Needed
Although each person's reaction will be unique, individuals frequently report experiencing intense fear, helplessness, horror, shock and disbelief that the incident is happening or other similar reactions of distress. Disorientation, confusion, feeling detached or experiencing a sense of unreality about the incident are also common reactions. As the “fight/flight” response is activated, physical responses beyond one's control can occur. These can include nausea, sweating, racing heart and trouble breathing. In the days and sometimes weeks following a critical incident, stress reactions may be experienced in a range of ways, including:
Physical Responses
Sleep difficulties; nightmares; nausea; headaches; diarrhea; muscle tension; agitation; increased blood pressure and heart rate.
Cognitive Responses
Poor concentration; impaired memory; difficulty focusing; intrusive thoughts; flashbacks; difficulty making decisions; second guessing self; loss of a sense of control.
Emotional Responses
Anger; fear; irritability; sadness; grief; depression; numbness; anxiety; loss of trust; sense of loneliness.
Behavioural Responses
Self-destructive or careless; avoidance of reminders; change in appetite; increased use of alcohol or drugs; loss of interests; uncontrollable crying; argumentative; withdrawal from the social network.
Workers can feel let down by their workplace if their concerns are dismissed, and there is no support from the employer. Poor morale, increased workplace accidents, staff turnover, depression and even suicide can result.
Providing Support
Employers may utilize Critical Incident interventions to lessen the likelihood of participants experiencing symptoms of trauma and stress after a critical incident. At times, a group debriefing process is warranted to provide a space for participants to talk and share experiences and for the facilitator to teach and provide information about the impact of critical incidents. In some instances, one-on-one support is more helpful.
We provide:
Group Debriefing (workplace, school, community, family)
Individual Debriefing
Post Traumatic Stress and Trauma Counselling
Urgent Requests for Critical Incident Support
Call 306-222-9741, and our reception service will have a counsellor call you the same day. If you call outside of business hours, please leave a message, and a counsellor will get back to you as soon as possible the next business day.
Employee & Family Assistance Program
Bridge Counseling provides professional and confidential counselling/coaching services for assessing and resolving work, relationships, family, stress, health, and life issues to your employees. Create an Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP) for your business.
Help your employees reduce and eliminate distress. The investment will pay off through:
Reduced employee absences and associated costs
Reduced health, drug and benefits or disability costs
Increased productivity and motivation of employees
Increased employee happiness and well-being
Attracting and retaining employees
We provide counselling, consultation for individuals, management and groups; wellness services and resources and critical incident interventions. Whether it is for a one-time emergency situation or for long-term support, we are here for you, your employees and their families.
We offer daytime, evening and Saturday appointments with a full range of services for individuals, couples, families, parents, children and teens.
If you are an employee considering our services, know that your identification and anything said in session will be kept confidential and anonymous. Aside from us, no one, not even your employer, has the right to know you are receiving therapy.
Urgent Requests For Critical Incident Support - Call 306-222-9741
Our reception service will have a counsellor call you the same day. If you call outside of business hours, please leave a message, and a counsellor will get back to you as soon as possible the next business day.
Fill out the Form Below
For more information or to start the process of setting up an Employee & Family Assistance Program for your company, fill out the form below.