Critical Incident Response services may seem like a luxury, but they’re a necessity. When an employee at your organisation goes through a traumatic situation and needs assistance to recover or when your employees are put in danger by threat, Critical Incident Response services come into play. Lifeskills Australia is the only EAP provider to have been trained in Critical Incident Response by the Head of Trauma of Notre Dame & Head of Psychology in the WA Police Force.

If you’re not familiar with Critical Incident Response services (sometimes referred to as Crisis Counselling), you may wonder why someone would need them or how they would serve your company. As the name implies, these services are triggered in critical incidents that require a fast and effective response. In the event of an emergency or tragedy—or even if there’s concern about imminent danger—Critical Incident Response services offer quick and confidential help for employees who need it most. This article will give you six reasons why you need this type of service at your organisation:

Help Your Employees Recover From Traumatic Events

One of the main reasons why you should have Critical Incident Response services at your organisation is to help your employees recover from traumatic events. Employees experience a wide range of traumatic events, including natural disasters, death or serious injury of a family member and acts of violence in the workplace. The effects of traumatic events aren’t limited to the moment they occur; they can trigger ongoing stress and anxiety, even if the event was years ago. While you can’t undo what has happened, having someone to talk to about the event and receive appropriate guidance can make it much easier for your employees to recover and move on with their lives.

Provide a Confidential Outlet for Employees

One of the main benefits of Critical Incident Response services is that they provide a confidential outlet for employees. If someone is having a difficult time coping with a traumatic event or feels threatened by a specific situation, they can call the crisis line to get help. The person on the other end of the line will not report the call to the person’s supervisor. This means that your employees can feel comfortable seeking assistance even if they think their situation is unusual. If an employee uses Critical Incident Response services, they may be referred to counselling or offered other forms of assistance. Depending on the situation, they may be given resources to help them cope with the traumatic event or information on how to avoid further danger.

Assess the Risk of Danger and Respond Appropriately

Another reason why you should have Critical Incident Response services at your organisation is to assess the risk of danger and respond appropriately. If your employees are dealing with a traumatic event, it’s not always easy to assess whether there is a risk of danger. One example: If an employee has been assaulted, they may feel safe at work. But if the assailant is still at large, it may be prudent to change their work environment to ensure their safety. The person on the crisis line can assist you in making these types of decisions. They can also help you determine whether your employee should be referred to counselling or other services.

Help Your Organisation Comply with Regulatory Requirements

Finally, having Critical Incident Response services at your organisation can help you comply with applicable requirements. If your company has employees who are covered by workers’ compensation, having Critical Incident Response services on hand can be very helpful. Employees who have suffered a work-related injury will often be referred to Crisis Counselling. If your company is subject to OSHA regulations, you might be required to have Critical Incident Response services. This applies to businesses with 10 or more employees.

Critical Incident Response Services from Lifeskills Australia

Critical Incident Response services are designed to help your employees during times of stress. This may include a wide range of traumatic events, from natural disasters to acts of violence in the workplace. Having this type of service available can help your employees recover from traumatic events, provide a confidential outlet for employees and help your organisation comply with requirements.