On-Scene Support

On-scene support is the second of three parts for effective recovery and growth through trauma.

This is literally what it sounds like - having someone turn up to the scene of an incident/trauma offering immediate support and Mental Health First Aid.   This helps normalise the human response and greatly reduces the short and long-term impact of an incident.

For Individuals this may be as simple as having a number of contact people on your phone that you can call immediately and have one of them join you as soon as is practical to give you the support you need at that time.

For Work-Groups, Companies, Emergency Services it is a simple matter of having trained peer support members in your team and or having access to a trauma qualified Chaplain, or simply having a number of telephone contacts who are listed in your Emergency Response Plan - and getting one of those to join you on-scene for an immediate defuse and Mental Health First Aid check.

*IMPORTANT NOTE:  On-scene support works best when an individual or group has completed the Pre-Incident Education.  In this instance even a phonecall may at times be sufficient to provide the reminders and encouragement for  successful self-recovery and personal growth.