What to Expect from thePolk County Mental Health Response (CISM) Team

The CISM service offered throughthe Polk County Mental Health Response Team is a safe service where participants are encouraged to speak freely without fear of repercussion.THIS IS NOT A CRITIQUE! Participants describe the incident so that all viewpoints are discussed.No one is forced to talk or share in the debriefing or other services but a ventilation of reactions and feelings is strongly encouraged. CONFIDENTIALITY is always maintained and nothing is ever entered into personnel files.

Services Provided by the

Polk CountyMental Health

Response Team

  • One-on-one consultative services
  • On-scene support services
  • Defusing and debriefing
  • Stress related presentations
  • Administrator support services
  • Community support services
  • Follow-up and referral services
  • Preparedness planning

Mission Statement

The Mission of the

Polk County Mental Health Response Team

is to help individuals recognize and cope with the emotional aftershocks of critical incidents and disasters.

The Team & Training

The Polk County Mental HealthResponse Team(PCMHRT) is comprised of mental health professionals, para-professionals, and peer support personnel. Each team member is a caring, sensitive, dedicated volunteer; all are specially trained in the International Critical Incident Stress Foundationmodel. Most team members have received additional training in Mental Health First Aid and Community Disaster Training.

The Polk County Mental Health ResponseTeam (PCMHRT), consists of emergency service support persons representing areas of emergency care; nurses, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, dispatch, law enforcement, fire fighters, advocates, clergy, mental health professionals, etc…

EMERGENCY NUMBER

515-954-0409

Available 24 hours/

7 days a week

POLK COUNTY

MENTAL HEALTH

RESPONSE

TEAM

Serving Those Who Serve Others

A Critical Incident is any situation faced by emergency personnel that causes them strong reactions which have the potential to interfere with their ability to function either at thesceneor later

Critical Incidents Include

  • Line of duty death/injury
  • Suicide of an emergency worker
  • Multi-casualty event
  • Death or injury to a child or children
  • Knowing the victim
  • Police shooting
  • Excessive media interest
  • Prolonged rescue attempt with loss of life
  • Cyber threat to school, churches, community/neighborhood, non-profit or governmental agencies
  • Disasters, natural or man-made

Additional

Critical Incidents

  • Robbery/break-in
  • An incident or assault resulting in serious injury
  • Sudden death, suicide or homicide of a co-worker, neighbor or family member
  • Observing trauma or perception of serious threat to self or others
  • Fire or large environmental incident
  • Injury or death of a child
  • Shooting or bomb threat
  • When a community, businesses, or neighborhood is affect by a violent or other critical incident

For additional information contact:

Polk County Health Services

Polk County River Place

2309 Euclid Avenue

Des Moines, IA 50310

Emergency Phone:

(515) 954-0409

Some Warning Signs & Symptoms of Stress

  • General irritability, increased arousal, or startled response
  • Normal coping skills are overwhelmed
  • Avoidance or withdraw from people or places related to the incident
  • Mood swings, depression or anxiety
  • Overpowering urge to cry or hide feelings
  • Inability to concentrate or feeling confused and disoriented
  • Reliving the traumatic event in thoughts, or dreams, feelings as if the event is recurring
  • Change in ordinary behavior patterns
  • Emotional tension or a feeling of being keyed up
  • Insomnia or difficulty sleeping
  • Indigestion or other digestion problems