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Traumatic stress response team ready

  • Published
  • By Capt. Cheryl Galarza
  • 375th Medical Operations Squadron
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  Members of the Mental Health Flight, the Airman & Family Readiness Center and the Base Chapel make up the Scott Traumatic Stress Response team and stand ready to respond to any crisis scenario.

Formerly known as the Critical Incident Stress Management team, the TSR trained professionals receive quarterly instruction on many facets of trauma response and support.

TSR teams are part of a Department of Defense-directed initiative. The team consults with leaders regarding potentially traumatic events, prepares personnel likely to be exposed to potentially traumatic events by conducting pre-exposure training, and providing psychological first aid when traumatic events occur, plus offers screening, education and referrals.

The TSR team aims to foster resiliency for those exposed to potentially traumatic events. Such events may include physical assault, severe automobile accidents, terrorist attacks, natural or man-made disasters, combat actions, or witnessing serious injuries.

Lt. Col. Larry Kroll, Mental Health Element Chief, said "Most people possess the natural coping skills to successfully deal with distressing events, but they can also benefit from a little professional support as well. TSR teams cultivate people's existing resiliency and use that to aid in the recovery process."

TSR allows active duty members who experience or witness a traumatic event to receive up to four one-on-one meetings with any member of the TSR team without documentation in the medical record.

"This is intended to help reduce some of the stigma people might feel when wanting to seek help," said Colonel Kroll.

Additional benefits of the TSR include its flexibility.

Master Sgt. Nancy Sanchez, Mental Health NCOIC, said "TSR is not a cookie-cutter model. When something bad happens, commanders can consult our credentialed mental health providers and we specifically design a response appropriate to meet the need."

For more information on TSR, contact team chief Capt. Cheryl Galarza at 256-7386.