Trauma risk management

Trauma risk management (TRiM) is a method of secondary PTSD (and other traumatic stress related mental health disorders) prevention. The TRiM process enables non-healthcare staff to monitor and manage colleagues. TRiM training provides TRiM Practitioners with a background understanding of psychological trauma and its effects.[1]

TRiM is a trauma-focused peer support system[2] and the way it works is wholly compliant with the PTSD management guidelines produced by the National Institute for Health and Care and Excellence.[3]

Trauma risk management Practitioners are trained to carry out an interview which identifies a number of risk factors which, when present, increase the likelihood that an individual may suffer poor longer term mental health as a result of a traumatic event. The initial TRiM interview takes place with an individual a few days after a traumatic incident. People who score highly on this initial interview are provided with extra support by colleagues, and where appropriate line managers. A follow up TRiM interview is then carried out approximately one month later to assess how well people have come to terms with the traumatic event at that point. Individuals who are found to have persistent difficulties at this point are encouraged and assisted to seek a professional assessment in order to access any specific treatment they require.[4]

TRiM originated within the UK military after previously-used reactive single session models of post incident intervention, such as Critical Incident Stress Debriefing, were subject to scientific scrutiny and shown to not just lack effectiveness but also have the potential to do harm.[5] Professor Neil Greenberg was one of the team at the forefront of developing peer-led traumatic stress support packages, now known as TRiM. He is an academic psychiatrist based at King's College London UK and is a consultant occupational and forensic psychiatrist.

Although it was first developed in the UK military, trauma risk management is now used by a range of public and commercial organisations.[6] This includes charities, emergency services, security firms, risk management organisations, UK Government departments including the Foreign and Commonwealth Office,[7] the oil and gas industry, transport organisations and media companies including the BBC.[8]

Evidence and research

A large number of research papers have been published about the use of TRiM and its effectiveness and acceptance. This includes research about the use of TRiM by Cumbria Constabulary, following the Cumbria shootings in 2010. This research[9] showed that the officers and staff who received a TRiM response fared better than their colleagues who did not and were less likely to be absent from work than colleagues who did not receive a TRiM intervention.

Research has shown that the use of TRiM may assist in increasing the psychological resilience of military personnel through the facilitation of social support.[10]

The most recent research into TRiM came in a review paper, published in the Journal of Occupational Medicine in April 2015.[11]

References

  1. ↑ Greenberg N, Brooks S, Dunn R - "Latest developments in post-traumatic stress disorder: diagnosis and treatment" - British Medical Bulletin. April 22, 2015
  2. ↑ Creamer MC, Varker T, Bisson J, Darte K, Greenberg N, Lau W, Moreton G, O’Donnell M, Richardson D, Ruzek J, Watson P, Forbes D - "Guidelines for peer support in high risk organizations: An international consensus study using the Delphi method" – Journal of Traumatic Stress, April 2012, 25, 134–141
  3. ↑ National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. Guidance for employers on promoting mental wellbeing through productive and healthy working conditions. NICE Public Health Guidance no.22. London: NICE, 2009
  4. ↑ Greenberg N, Brooks S, Dunn R - "Latest developments in post-traumatic stress disorder: diagnosis and treatment" - British Medical Bulletin. April 22, 2015
  5. ↑ Rose SC, Bisson J, Wessely S. "Psychological debriefing for preventing post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)". Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2002, Issue 2. Article Number CD000560, DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD000560
  6. ↑ http://www.marchonstress.com/page/p/clients
  7. ↑ https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/35492/0392-12attachment2of2.pdf
  8. ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/safety/health/trauma-support
  9. ↑ Hunt E, Jones N, Hastings V, Greenberg N. – "TRiM: an organizational response to traumatic events in Cumbria Constabulary"- Occup Med (Lond) 2013 Dec;63(8):549-55
  10. ↑ Frappell-Cooke W, Gulina M, Green K, Hacker Hughes J, Greenberg N, "Does trauma risk management reduce psychological distress in deployed troops?" - Occupational Medicine Journal, 2010.
  11. ↑ Whybrow, D, Jones, N, Greenberg, N. "Promoting organizational well-being: a comprehensive review of Trauma Risk Management" – Journal of Occupational Medicine, 16 April 2015.


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