Information gathering
Initial psychosocial responses should be flexibly applied by responders and used to address the priority concerns and needs of survivors
This can only be achieved if sufficient information is obtained so that any interventions are matched to the needs of survivors.
Information gathering is a continuous process that starts from the point of contact. Time limitations, survivor’s concerns and priorities all impact responder’s capacity to gather the necessary information so that psychosocial support meets the survivor’s identified needs.
So it is a necessity that responders prioritise survivors who require immediate referral from those in need of additional services, follow up, or aspects of psychosocial support. Checklists outlining survivor’s current needs are helpful in aiding this process.
Classifying the exact extent of the individual’s exposure to the incident helps identify those at greatest risk of longer term more adverse effects. Such as establishing those survivors who have experienced a threat to their life and, or a loved one and those who have witnessed the death of others. Those who have experienced severe terror and helplessness they can also be at greater risk of slower recovery.
It is important that in gathering this additional information that this is done as sensitively as possible without inviting survivors to provide in-depth descriptions of the experience placing them at risk of increased distress.
For those who have experienced the severest level of exposure to the incident, it is advised that responders familiarise themselves with information about coping in the aftermath of a major incident as outlined within all of the courses for adults and children which you can access on the main course page.
- Dealing with a major incident: For children.
- Dealing with a major incident: For young people.
- Dealing with a major incident: Supporting Children after a major incident.
- Dealing with a major incident: The personal impact.
When a loved one has died, this can understandably compound the grief experienced.
It is clearly important to be sensitive in such circumstances. In addition to emotional support these individuals need guidance about social support, coping and acute grief responses and follow up.
Where survivors are concerned about an ongoing threat it is helpful to ask what they need to aid their understanding about what is happening; what they need to do is to help to ensure the safety and the wellbeing of their family including what for example is being done to protect the public.
Where survivors are separated from their loved ones this can cause increased distress. It is important that they are linked with sources of information aimed at locating and reuniting family and friends and sources of social and emotional support.
At greater risk of increased difficulties are those with pre-existing physical or mental health conditions in receipt of prescribed medication. These individuals also need to be prioritised so they can access the appropriate medical and psychological response including medication.
Self-harm or harm to others by survivors are concerns that need to be readily identified and responded to, providing emotional support to any individual concerned while summoning the necessary assistance is vital.
Social support comprising community networks, input from family, friends and others greatly improves the survivors’ abilities to cope with the adversity they have experienced. Responders can support those affected to identify who they know of that can support them in addition to linking them with organisations that can offer additional help.
Adult survivors and or young people with a history of alcohol or drug dependency are at increased risk of relapse and continued use of substances possibly as a means of coping with their experiences. Providing information about coping, social support, linking to appropriate services with a follow up meeting also offered are likely to be the most effective approaches.
Where survivors have previously experienced the loss of a loved one the response is likely to be more profound, prolonging their grief and possibly triggering feelings about any prior losses. These individuals need support that aids their understanding of grief reactions linked to post-disaster experiences in addition to information about coping, social support and a follow up meeting.
The developmental impact of a major incident also needs to be taken into account. For example, when this disrupts plans such as marriage, birthdays, start dates for university, school or college this can further add to levels of distress.
Helping survivors prioritise their concerns so they can address the first of these and so on, in addition to providing information about practical sources of help.
Some things to think about
- Are you aware of the systems in your organisation to inform responders about how and what information to gather?
- Do you know if and how the information gathering processes are evaluated for effectiveness?