Introduction to Critical Incident Stress Debriefing

Critical Incident Stress Debriefing is a structured group debriefing procedure that has been found to be effective in helping people ventilate their feelings and helps them share these with a group. As noted before, the most important way or the best way to deal with the problem is to talk about it and especially with a group of people who have shared common experiences and who are able to understand what you are trying to tell them. At the same time you realize that other people are feeling the same way you are. It is important to note that these debriefing sessions are not operational and what is said during these sessions are not then reported back to higher authorities. The whole purpose of these sessions are to be able to show you that you can talk about what you have gone through and also to pass on some simple hints on how to cope now and later when you are back in Canada. During the debriefing sessions at the end of the tour prior to redeployment to Canada there is also information provided on how to prepare to reunite with your families and deal with jet lag as well as stress coping skills. A session can take anywhere from 1 1/2 to 3 hours depending on the size of the group and the number of incidents that the people wish to talk about.

For more information on CISD see here

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