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Clark & Jackson County

CISM

Image by Chandler Cruttenden

Services

Our Core Services

  1. Pre-Incident Education & Resilience Training

    • Objective: To equip individuals and organizations with proactive strategies to build resilience and prepare for high-stress events.

    • What We Offer:

      • Psychological preparedness training for high-risk professionals

      • Stress inoculation techniques to enhance coping skills (Meichenbaum, 2007)

      • Resilience-building workshops to prevent burnout and compassion fatigue.

    • Studies show that pre-incident psychological education significantly reduces post-traumatic stress symptoms and improves adaptive coping mechanisms in high-risk professions (Everly, 2013).

  2. ​Acute Crisis Intervention (Within 24-72 hours post-incident)

    • Objective: To provide immediate psychological stabilization and reduce acute stress reactions following traumatic events.

    • What We Offer:

      • On-scene Psychological First Aid (PFA) to reduce distress and promote adaptive functioning (Litz et al., 2002)

      • Crisis defusing sessions (short, structured debriefs within hours of an incident)

      • Identification of high-risk individuals for early intervention referrals

    • Early psychological intervention has been shown to lower the risk of PTSD by reducing maladaptive coping behaviors such as avoidance and emotional suppression (Litz et al., 2002).

  3. ​Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) (24-72 hours post-incident, group-based)

    • Objective: To facilitate structured, peer-supported emotional processing following critical incidents.

    • What We Offer:

      • Guided group debriefing led by a trained CISM facilitator

      • Normalization of stress responses and promotion of peer support

      • Identification of those needing follow-up mental health services

    • CISD, when delivered appropriately, has been shown to decrease psychological distress, prevent emotional isolation, and enhance long-term recovery (Everly & Mitchell, 2000).

  4. One-on-One and Group Peer Support

    • Objective: To provide a confidential space for individuals to discuss their experiences and receive peer-driven support.

    • What We Offer:

      • Structured peer-led crisis discussions

      • Confidential, non-judgmental support sessions

      • Workshops on recognizing emotional distress in colleagues

    • Peer support programs have been linked to lower PTSD rates, reduced stigma, and increased workplace cohesion in high-stress professions (Halpern et al., 2009).

  5. Family and Organizational Support

    • Objective: To help families, supervisors, and workplaces understand trauma’s impact and facilitate effective recovery strategies.

    • What We Offer:

      • Education on secondary trauma and burnout prevention

      • Support for families of trauma-exposed professionals

      • Assistance in developing organizational post-crisis recovery plans

    • Organizations that implement structured post-incident recovery plans experience lower turnover rates, improved morale, and reduced long-term mental health issues (Tuckey, 2007).

  6. Long-Term Referral & Mental Health Support

    • Objective: To ensure that individuals experiencing ongoing distress receive appropriate, specialized mental health care.

    • What We Offer:

      • Screening and referrals for professional trauma therapy

      • Connections to licensed mental health providers specializing in PTSD, anxiety, and grief counseling

      • Follow-up support to monitor recovery and progress

    • Research confirms that timely access to trauma-informed therapy significantly reduces the risk of chronic PTSD and depression (Bryant et al., 2018).

 

Our Partners & Affiliations
📌 Request Immediate Crisis Support
📌 Schedule Pre-Incident Training for Your Team → [Link to training programs]
📌 Find Mental Health Resources & Self-Help Guides

Contact Us

📞 Crisis Support Helpline: (715-743-3400) for immediate assistance. 📧 Email: CISM@co.clark.wi.us

📍 Office Location: 517 Court Street, Room 503, Neillsville, WI 54456

🌐 Website: https://www.clarkcountywi.gov/

We are here for you—because mental health matters in every crisis.

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