The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) / Bureau of Substance Abuse Services (BSAS) has partnered with the Institute for Health and Recovery to provide both online and on-site postvention services to BSAS contracted and licensed programs. Our goals are to support staff and facilitate their recovery as swiftly as possible following critical incidents. Research consistently demonstrates that providing support after such events leads to improvements in care quality, reductions in the number of future critical incidents, improves morale, and develops a culture of trauma-responsive care.
What is a critical incident?
A critical incident is an intense, unexpected event that may exceed an individual’s or group’s ability to cope. Whether experienced directly or indirectly, these incidents may have profound effects on individuals and organizations.
Examples include:
- Death of a client
- Death of a co-worker
- Overdose incidents
- Violent incidents that jeopardize workplace safety
- Significant events involving children (e.g., removal of a child from a parent’s care)
- Natural disasters or acts of terrorism
What are postvention services?
Postvention services are facilitated by a member of our Trauma Team and include the development of a postvention services plan. A postvention services plan may include postvention sessions. We encourage all those who may have been impacted to participate in these sessions, regardless of their role. Each session may be done online or in person, through a town-hall forum, or other settings which give staff across the organization the opportunity to come together.
Our services are structured to foster supportive conversations about individual reactions to the event. The discussions center on identifying personal strengths, coping strategies, self-care practices, and the importance of community support.
To access IHR’s postvention services call: 617-661-9036
A member of IHR’s Trauma Team will take some initial information, and within 48 business hours a team member will contact the program and work with them to develop a plan to support those impacted.