What is a Critical Incident?

You have experienced a traumatic event or critical incident (any incident that causes emergency service personnel to experience unusually strong emotional reactions which have the potential to interfere with their ability to function either at the scene or later).  Even though the event may be over, you may now be experiencing or may experience later some strong emotional or physical reactions.  It is very common, in fact quite normal, for people to experience aftershocks when they have passed through a horrible event.

Sometimes the emotional aftershocks (or stress reactions) appear immediately after the traumatic event.  Sometimes they may appear a few hours or a few days later.  And, in some cases, weeks or months may pass before the stress reactions appear.

The signs and symptoms of a stress reaction may last a few days, a few weeks, or a few months and occasionally longer depending on the severity of the traumatic event.  With the understanding and support of loved ones, the stress reactions usually pass more quickly.  Occasionally the traumatic event is so painful that professional assistance from a counsellor may be necessary.  This does not imply craziness or weakness.  It simply indicates that the particular event was just too powerful for the person to manage by himself or herself.