10th World Congress
10th World Congress
Just two weeks ago, the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation wrapped up its 10th World Congress on Stress, Trauma, and Coping. Twenty four countries were represented at the Baltimore program. Over 700 people attended the world's most practical conference on managing traumatic stress in large disasters, as well as smaller tragedies. Since the World Congress is held only once every other year, the 10th World Congress represents a full twenty years of traditions and services provided by the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation. The congress was a mix of celebration and valuable education.
This year's program contained some important innovations which are likely to become a tradition in future programs. ICISF has, throughout its twenty year history, maintained a great appreciation for those who serve in the armed forces. The military, therefore, has been given a very special evening program which is developed, organized and presented by military experts in the field of traumatic stress and combat stress management. The Friday night program brought together five hundred people with an interest in military stress programs. Highlights of the evening were presentations on modifications of the CISD debriefing into the "Battlemind" Psychological Debriefing. One session suggested that the PTSD diagnosis is over applied. Other presentations included Traumatic Brain Injury among combat veterans and the warrior reintegration programs.
Nearly one third of the pre-congress training sessions, plenary sessions and workshop presentations at this year's World Congress were given by people from outside of the United States. This strongly emphasizes the international make-up of the Foundation and the need to learn from people from around the world. One of the most interesting and heart wrenching sessions was on the horrific earthquake in China in which over 70,000 people were killed and a million and a half were left homeless.
The World Congress on Stress, Trauma and Coping cannot be surpassed for its educational format based on lessons learned from tragic experiences and on the innovative ways in which trauma support personnel managed complex and overwhelming circumstances. The practical nature of the best practices approach to managing acute distress helps every participant to develop excellence in crisis and disaster response.
Keep an eye on this site for more on the World Congress, including some guest essayist sharing their thoughts about the program. And.... now is a good time to start thinking about the next World Congress event. Put February 23-27, 2011 on your calendar and make plans is join us in Baltimore!
Jeffrey T. Mitchell, Ph.D.
President Emeritus
International Critical Incident Stress Foundation
March 17, 2009
