MantraCare’s (MCH International) Critical Incident Stress Debriefing Deliveries in 2024-25 – Bringing Relief to Traumatized Audiences
Overview:
MantraCare, a global provider of mental health and wellness services, scaled up its Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) program in 2024-25 to address the rising need for trauma support. During this period, various challenges impacted communities worldwide, including natural disasters such as the devastating floods in South Asia and wildfires in Australia, as well as workplace tragedies involving the sudden demise of colleagues due to accidents or health crises. MantraCare conducted over 233 CISD sessions, reaching diverse audiences including corporate employees and disaster-affected communities, providing timely psychological first aid to mitigate trauma.
Background:
Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) is a structured group intervention designed to help individuals process traumatic events and reduce the risk of long-term psychological issues like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). MantraCare’s CISD program, led by trained mental health professionals and peer support personnel, adheres to the seven-stage model developed by Dr. Jeffrey T. Mitchell, which includes stages like assessing the impact of the incident, identifying safety concerns, and providing coping strategies. Sessions are typically conducted within 24-72 hours of a critical incident to maximize effectiveness.
In 2024-25, MantraCare identified a pressing need for CISD due to:
- Workplace Tragedies: Multiple organizations reported the sudden loss of employees due to accidents, health emergencies, or suicides, leaving colleagues in shock.
- Natural Disasters: Floods, wildfires, and earthquakes displaced thousands, causing widespread grief and loss.
MantraCare partnered with corporations to deliver CISD sessions, aiming to support both immediate emotional relief and long-term recovery.
Implementation:
MantraCare deployed CISD teams consisting of 2-4 mental health professionals and peer support personnel with experience in trauma response. Sessions were conducted in small groups (up to 25 participants) to ensure a safe, non-judgmental space. Key aspects of their approach included:
- Rapid Response: Sessions were held within 72 hours of incidents, aligning with best practices for CISD effectiveness.
- Homogeneous Groups: Participants in each session shared similar roles and exposure levels (e.g., all employees of a department after a colleague’s death, or all survivors of a specific disaster) to foster relatability.
- Global Reach: Leveraging virtual platforms, MantraCare delivered sessions to remote areas, ensuring accessibility.
- Tailored Support: Facilitators adapted sessions to address specific cultural and contextual needs, such as language barriers in South Asia or the unique stressors faced by disaster survivors.
Over the year, MantraCare conducted 233 CISD sessions across 15 countries, reaching approximately 4,700 individuals. The breakdown of audiences included:
- Corporate Employees: 60% (141 sessions) – Addressing colleague demise and workplace accidents.
- Disaster-Affected Communities: 40% (92 sessions) – Targeting survivors of natural disasters in India, Australia, and Brazil.
Outcomes:
MantraCare’s CISD program yielded significant results, though outcomes varied across groups due to the diverse nature of traumas and individual responses.
Positive Impacts
- Reduction in Acute Stress Symptoms:
- In a post-session survey of 3,760 participants, 72% reported reduced symptoms of acute stress (e.g., anxiety, insomnia) within two weeks of the debriefing.
- Corporate employees who lost colleagues noted a 65% decrease in feelings of guilt and anger, with many citing the group setting as a source of shared understanding.
- Disaster survivors reported a 60% improvement in sleep quality and emotional stability, aiding their recovery process.
- Increased Help-Seeking Behavior:
- 55% of participants sought additional mental health support (e.g., therapy) after CISD, indicating the sessions successfully encouraged long-term care. This was particularly evident among disaster survivors, many of whom were unaware of available resources prior to the debriefing.
- Enhanced Group Cohesion:
- Among corporate teams, 80% of participants felt a stronger sense of camaraderie and support from colleagues post-CISD, aiding workplace morale.
- Disaster-affected communities reported improved social support networks, with 70% resulting in better communication and emotional support within their groups.
Challenges and Limitations:
- Mixed Effectiveness:
- While 72% reported benefits, 15% of participants (particularly disaster survivors) showed no significant change in stress levels, and 5% reported increased anxiety, possibly due to re-traumatization from recalling events too soon and were provided individual counselling.
- Some participants with pre-existing mental health conditions found the group setting overwhelming, highlighting the need for better pre-screening.
- Logistical Constraints:
- Virtual sessions, while accessible, faced challenges like unstable internet in disaster zones, disrupting the flow of discussions for 10% of participants.
- In-person sessions in disaster areas were occasionally delayed due to logistical issues like travel restrictions, with 9 sessions occurring beyond the 72-hour window, potentially reducing effectiveness.
- Cultural Barriers:
- In South Asia, cultural stigma around mental health led to lower participation rates (60% attendance compared to 85% in corporate settings), requiring additional community outreach.
Analysis:
MantraCare’s CISD program demonstrated notable success in providing immediate relief to audiences strained by trauma in 2024-25. The rapid deployment of sessions within 72 hours and the focus on homogeneous groups aligned with best practices, contributing to reduced acute stress and increased help-seeking behavior. The group format fostered connection, particularly for corporate employees and disaster survivors, helping them feel less isolated in their experiences.
However, the program’s mixed outcomes reflect the broader debate on CISD effectiveness. While many benefited, the 5% who experienced worsened symptoms underscore the risk of re-traumatization, especially for those with severe distress or pre-existing conditions. This aligns with concerns from the American Red Cross and other critics who argue that CISD may not suit all individuals without proper screening. MantraCare’s experience suggests that CISD is most effective when paired with follow-up care and tailored to the audience’s cultural and emotional needs.
Graphical Representations:
Improvements Future Interventions:
- Pre-Screening Protocols: Implement mandatory pre-session screening to identify individuals at risk of re-traumatization, offering them one-on-one support instead of group CISD.
- Hybrid Delivery Models: Enhance virtual session reliability with offline resources (e.g., recorded coping strategies) for areas with connectivity issues.
- Cultural Sensitivity Training: Train facilitators to better address cultural stigma, particularly in regions where mental health discussions are taboo.
- Long-Term Support: Establish a formal follow-up program to ensure participants have access to ongoing therapy, addressing the 15% who saw no immediate benefit from CISD.
- Research and Evaluation: Conduct a longitudinal study to track participants’ mental health outcomes over 12-18 months, providing clearer evidence of CISD’s long-term impact.
Conclusion:
MantraCare’s delivery of over 230 CISD sessions in 2024-25 provided critical relief to audiences grappling with the demise of colleagues and natural disasters. While the program successfully reduced acute stress for most participants and fostered group support, challenges like re-traumatization and cultural barriers highlight the need for a more nuanced approach. By refining its screening, delivery, and follow-up processes, MantraCare will further be able to enhance the effectiveness of its CISD interventions, ensuring comprehensive trauma support for all affected individuals.
