Optimització de la maduració.

5.9.2.1 Initial debriefing/defusing

Findings from the reviewed records showed that an initial debriefing program, also known as defusing is offered to traumatised workers by commanders who have been trained as initial debriefers (defusers). Initial debriefing is offered immediately after exposure to trauma. This occurs usually, one to two hours after attending to the traumatic scene, with the intention of managing the traumatic reactions at an early stage and preventing the reactions from developing into more intense responses which may later on place workers at risk of developing PTSD.

The aim of initial debriefing is to provide immediate support and assistance after exposure to trauma. The researcher also noted that the initial debriefing aimed to achieve the following:

• To enable ventilation of initial thoughts and feelings regarding the traumatic

incident.

• Stabilise the workers so that they can return home without unusual stress.

After conducting this type of a session, the defuser refers the traumatised workers to the SAPS EHW professionals for what is termed formal debriefing.

5.9.2.2 Formal debriefing

A review of the current systems used in the SAPS organisation showed that formal trauma debriefing and PTSD development prevention sessions are offered to workers who were involved in traumatic incidents. This is offered 72 hours after a traumatic incident. Formal debriefing is a detailed session during which traumatised workers are given an opportunity to explore their experiences, thoughts and emotions attached to the traumatic incident. The principle of confidentiality is emphasised during the session. The sessions are educational in nature, focusing more on equipping traumatised

workers with effective coping mechanisms. The sessions are provided by social workers, chaplains, and psychometrists who are also trained formal trauma debriefers. Formal trauma debriefing also aims to achieve the following:

• reduce the risk of PTSD occurring

• provide immediate counselling and support after a traumatic incident

• lessen the psychological impact of a traumatic event

• facilitate early identification of traumatised workers who may require professional mental health

• help workers to make sense of traumatic incidents and educating them on the normalcy and predictability of the reaction

• help traumatised workers realise that they are still normal even after experiencing the reactions after trauma

• help workers regain control of their lives, responsibilities and policing tasks

• examine future needs of an individual, family, peer and social group

• raise awareness at personal, group and organisational level

5.9.2.3 Psycho-social, spiritual counseling, hospital and home visit services

Workers diagnosed with PTSD and their immediate family members are also offered counseling to assist them on how to cope with the experiences psycho-social and spiritual challenges. The SAPS EHW professionals offer counseling sessions when requested by the worker or when a need to render such services is identified. Other intervention, counseling, support and treatment services by external health and wellness professionals, including psychologists, psychiatrists and medical doctors, are also employed following worker referral by the SAPS EHW office or as a result of self- referrals by the workers. Workers diagnosed with PTSD are also visited by the EHW professionals during ill-health periods, thus the support visits are conducted at home and at health institutions, including mental and physical rehabilitation, psychiatric and wellness hospitals, where the worker would be admitted at.

5.9.2.4 Multiple Stressor Debriefing (MSD) programme

The reviewed records specified that the Multiple Stressor Debriefing programme is implemented within the SAPS organisation as an on-site intervention and management programme for trauma and PTSD. The MSD programme recognises that workers are

family, work and social areas. This programme is offered specifically to the workers placed at units identified as “high risk units”. The units include among others, the LCRC, FCS and the Detectives units. Thus, working in these units exposes them to constant trauma than working in other units within the SAPS organisation.

The multiple stressor sessions are aimed at the following:

• Enabling workers to ventilate about a variety of stressors emanating from their

daily policing work.

• Providing open opportunities for workers to talk frankly about personal or social matters negatively affecting them in a group setting.

• Creating chances for workers who find it difficult or uncomfortable to talk about personal stressors in a group setting to arrange for individual counselling and support with the relevant SAPS EHW professionals.

The multiple stressor sessions are held on a quarterly basis. The sessions are facilitated by the EHW personnel who creatively use a variety of stress management and relaxation approaches to help the workers unwind. This includes activities such as fun art work, body and mental relaxation exercises, expressing thoughts and emotions using magazine collages, group interactive exercises and interpersonal/intrapersonal as well as team building activities.

5.9.2.5 A 24 hour crisis intervention and stand-by service

Findings from the reviewed records indicated the availability of a 24 hour service dedicated to rendering immediate support to the general SAPS workforce and to the workers diagnosed with PTSD during the time of need. Spiritual and psycho-social intervention and support is also rendered to the workers diagnosed with PTSD and their immediate family members through this programme.

5.9.2.6 The SAPS EHW National Call Centre

A team of professionals manage the call centre located at the SAPS headquarters. This centre serves as a service point for intervention and a referral source for psycho-social and spiritual services for all provinces. The SAPS Workers and their immediate family members requiring trauma and PTSD support and management services are also referred to the EHW office through this programme.

5.9.3 Tertiary prevention