Tracy Wells-Stratton is co-chair of the Corner Brook team. The multi-agency team with Western Health serving as the organizing body has been in existence for 10 years.
Wells-Stratton said other groups, in different stages of organization, exist all over the region.
As a multi-agency initiative, Wells-Stratton said the team crosses a broad spectrum with representatives from the community and government.
This co-ordinated response across multiple organizations means the most appropriate person makes the connection.
Wells-Stratton said the team provides support to people in communities.
“To help them cope with trauma and tragic events.
“Any event that causes a person to experience an unusually strong reaction.”
Common events include when a person experiences severe physical harm or injury, when someone witnesses serious injury or death, when they experience an actual or perceived threat to their life or if they have accidentally caused severe harm to somebody else.
An individual can reach out to the team themselves by calling 634-4506 or if anyone on the team becomes connected to an event they can call a team meeting by contacting one of the co-chairs. The team would then come together and determine who is the best person to make contact and offer services.
However, Wells-Stratton noted not every event prompts a team meeting.
The most common service offered is a debriefing on the event, where they can talk about the experience, their reaction and learn about positive coping skills.
The team also provides information on the common reactions that people have and does some promotion and prevention work. It also deals in consultations and referrals to other supports and services.
