International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, Inc.
International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, Inc.
Hendersonville, North Carolina
By: Holly R Metcalf LCMHC, NCC, LCAS
Behavioral Health Counselor
During the current COVID-19 pandemic that our country is experiencing, members of the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office Peer Support Team in North Carolina have experienced many challenges in relation to how they conduct peer support responses. Members have continued working in collaboration with other peer support teams to provide CISM responses following critical incidents. Technology has played an integral part of this process, including use of online platforms that allows first responders to be present at a response, without the need for physical presence.
The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office Peer Support Team is supported by the Henderson County Behavioral Wellness Team, which is a fully embedded program that provides mental health services to all county employees—with a focus and emphasis on first responders. The Behavioral Wellness Team is made up of two licensed clinical therapists and a licensed clinical psychiatric nurse practitioner. The inclusion of this embedded wellness program directly supports the HCSO Peer Support Team by offering a readily available referral source for training/education, assessment, counseling, and crisis response.
Additionally, the HCSO Peer Support Team is a part of the Western North Carolina Peer Support Team that covers approximately 22 counties in our area. By being a part of this larger network, HCSO Peer Support Team can provide assistance to neighboring counties, but also receives that same support when larger incidents occur, and peer support members are now the first responders experiencing that critical incident.
The following statements are provided by HCSO Peer Support Team members and, in their own words, reflects the ways in which our team has risen to the challenge of tackling these unique circumstances.
“I have had the unfortunate opportunity to be involved with a couple of CISM Defusions/Debriefs during this Covid-19 pandemic. Life as we know it has changed and so has this process in making sure our responders are taken care of in the best way possible. Technology has played an integral part in these processes. During one diffusion we had our group meeting in a fire house truck bay with doors open, PPE in place, chairs meeting the social distancing requirements, and using FaceTime to include those who were quarantined because of a possible exposure. Several personnel at the defusion called each quarantined person and were able to include them in on the information sharing session. I have used technology with one-on-one sessions and small group meetings as well. As personal contact is far better, the use of technology-based interaction to ensure the well-being of our responders has played a key role. Thinking outside the box and problem solving are key in this process.” –Jim
“Keeping in touch with peers has proven to be a challenge when faced with the current COVID-19 crisis in our nation. Those that we tend to see every day are now few and far between, and we are more isolated than ever. With this isolation come new challenges for providing peer support. When our agency lost a retired deputy to a heart attack during the pandemic, it was difficult to be able to feel connected. A drive-by memorial service was the option that we had to pull people together, yet many of our peers were still feeling distant. Being able to read other’s emotions and responses to an event has proven difficult. What were once face-to-face meetings with peers to check in have turned into text messages and phone calls. Providing support is much easier when you can walk into someone’s office to say “Hi” or catch them on patrol and chat for a moment. We strive to stay connected virtually, and while that has been challenging at our agency, it has also proven that peers can stay connected no matter the circumstance.” –Lauren
In addition, the HCSO Peer Support Team has continued to meet on a regular basis using an online platform. The objective of these meetings is to maintain a finger on the pulse of the Sheriff’s Office, as well as maintaining collaboration amongst team members. It is important to recognize that peer support members are going through their own unique experiences during this time, such as choosing to live away from family members to protect their loved ones and adjusting to new roles and job duties, such as School Resource Officers (SROs) being moved to Patrol shifts.
Little did we know that several benefits would become apparent through these virtual team meetings. Members whose schedules or other responsibilities made it difficult to come to in-person meetings have now been able to attend on a regular basis. Members can log-in to the virtual platform using their patrol car’s mobile data terminal (MDT) or their smartphones. This allows team members to continue working, safely driving their patrol cars, and taking calls as needed while also logging in for the meeting and participating as they’re able. Another unexpected benefit that we’ve observed from virtual meetings is the ability for team members to “introduce” their co-workers to the team, especially if the co-worker has been interested in becoming CISM trained and joining the team. Within the last four weeks, we have had 3 deputies unofficially join the team while waiting to complete their CISM Group & Individual training. All three of these deputies were recruited because a Peer Support member connected with them in the above-mentioned manner.
We want to encourage Peer Support members across the nation to continue the good work that’s being done and do not allow this current pandemic to get in the way of your ability to be present and supportive of your fellow first responder! In fact, this is an opportunity to recognize the changes that you, and those around you, are managing and understanding how they can be used for good.
“The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet notwithstanding, go out to meet it.” –Thucydides
“There is no shame in failure. For a warrior the only shame is in not trying.” –Lt. Col. Dave Grossman
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International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, Inc is a 501(c)3 Non Profit