Do you need CISM services right now? We’re here to help.

NEED IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE? Call 717-708-2746. Your call is confidential. A CISM team member will be notified and will reach out to you shortly.

Team leaders: If you need to schedule a CISM team to respond to your station after a critical incident, please call 717-708-2746.
A CISM representative will contact you shortly.

Looking for additional resources for your team members? Just click the RESOURCE button in the menu bar.

YOUR MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS.
When you experience a traumatic event, remember, YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
You have a team of peer supporters ready to help.
ALL first responders are welcome to utilize CISM services.

CONTACT:
Lebanon County DES Communications Center
24/7
717-708-2746

Welcome to CISM -
Supporting Those Who Serve

Welcome to Lebanon County Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM), supporting first responders in Lebanon County by providing specialized mental health assistance and peer support to address the demands of their critical roles.

CISM is a comprehensive approach to traumatic stress management. It encompasses a wide range of programs and intervention strategies designed to manage stress in emergency service personnel and to assist them in managing and recovering from the significant stress they encounter in their daily work.

SUPPORT FOR FIRST RESPONDERS
Check out the menu bar to learn more about CISM group and individual strategies, common symptoms of stress and coping methods, and local resources for additional help.

CISM TEAM INFORMATION
Articles, events, and team resources are available in the menu bar.

Physical Symptoms

Sweating, fatigue, dizziness, twitches, headaches, chest pain, chills, grinding of teeth, increased heart rate, increased thirst, disrupted sleep, changes in appetite, visual difficulties, nausea/vomiting, shortness of breath, high blood pressure. ANY OF THESE PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS MAY INDICATE A NEED FOR MEDICAL ATTENTION. WHEN IN DOUBT, CALL YOUR DOCTOR.

Emotional/Behavioral Symptoms

Depression, fear, guilt, anxiety/panic, agitation, irritability, social withdrawal, intense anger, increased alcohol consumption or drug use.

Cognitive Symptoms

Confusion, hypervigilance, poor concentration, poor attention span, nightmares, poor memory, suspiciousness, intrusive thoughts. Strategies: *Don't try to fight the nightmares, flashbacks and intrusive thoughts. They are normal and will decrease over time.

Physical Strategies

*Exercise, especially within the first 24-48 hours. *Get plenty of rest. *Eat well and stay hydrated. *Limit caffeine and be aware of numbing pain with overuse of drugs and/or alcohol.

Emotional/Behavioral Strategis

Strategies: *Understand that you are having a normal reaction to an abnormal situation. Be kind to yourself. *Spend time with and talk to others. Encourage them to listen without offering advice. *Don't make any major life decisions or changes. *Structure your time and maintain as normal a schedule as possible. *Keep a journal. *Help your co-workers by sharing your feelings and check on their well-being. Realize that others are experiencing similar stressors.

Cognitive Strategies

Strategies: *Understand that you are having a normal reaction to an abnormal situation. Be kind to yourself. *Spend time with and talk to others. Encourage them to listen without offering advice. *Don't make any major life decisions or changes. *Structure your time and maintain as normal a schedule as possible. *Keep a journal. *Help your co-workers by sharing your feelings and check on their well-being. Realize that others are experiencing similar stressors.

Defusing

Defusings are shorter, unstructured debriefings that encourage a brief discussion of the events. Defusings typically occur one to three hours following the incident and generally last from 30 minutes to an hour. Our trained specialists facilitate defusing sessions to help individuals process their immediate emotional responses.

CISD - CRITICAL INCIDENT STRESS DEBRIEFING

Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) provides a facilitated environment for individuals to process their experiences following critical incidents, with the goal of promoting mental health and resilience while reducing the likelihood of long-term psychological effects. Debriefings are typically held 12-72 hours following an event.

One-on-One Intervention/Counseling

One-on-one peer support/counseling or psychological support throughout the full range of the crisis spectrum.

Confidentiality You Can Trust

All CISM meetings — including defusing, debriefing, and peer support sessions — are completely confidential. What is shared in these sessions stays between participants and trained CISM team members, ensuring a safe and secure environment for open discussion and emotional support.

Crisis Information

Lebanon County Crisis Intervention: 800-673-2496 Crisis Intervention Hotline/County Lifeline: 717-274-3363 Crisis Text line: 24/7 741741 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 24/7, call or text 988 The Trevor Project (suicide prevention and crisis intervention for LGBTQ+ young people): 24/7 - 866-488-7386

Power in Peers for Law Enforcement

Power in Peers: 717-821-0865 Gerry Cassel Coordinator -Police Supporting Peers

Veteran's Resource

Veterans Crisis Line: 24/7 - Dial 988 then press 1 or text 838255

Local Employee Assistance Programs (EAP's)

Mazetti & Sullivan EAP: 24/7 member services - 800-543-5080 WellSpan EAP powered by Quest: 24/7 member services - 800-364-6352

Mental Health Professionals

Task Force 10-87 Free confidential therapy for first responders & their families

Learn More

Do you need CISM services right now? We’re here to help.

CISM Symptoms and Strategies

Physical Symptoms

Emotional/Behavioral Symptoms

Cognitive Symptoms

Physical Strategies

Emotional/Behavioral Strategis

Cognitive Strategies

CISM Strategies: DEFUSING - DEBRIEFING - INDIVIDUAL

Defusing

CISD - CRITICAL INCIDENT STRESS DEBRIEFING

One-on-One Intervention/Counseling

Confidentiality You Can Trust

Resources

Crisis Information

Power in Peers for Law Enforcement

Veteran's Resource

Local Employee Assistance Programs (EAP's)

Mental Health Professionals

Articles

Personal Reflections on Serving as a CISM Team Member

Stepping Up: Finding Bravery in the Bonds of Peer Support

Navigating Stress and Cultivating Gratitude

Workshops, Seminars, and Special Events

Team Information

Contact