Critical Incident Stress Management now Traumatic Stress Response Published March 20, 2009 By Capt. Tracy Hunter 325th Medical Operations Squadron TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- What is the TSR team? The Traumatic Stress Response team exists to respond appropriately to traumatic incidents, which occur within the Tyndall community The primary intent of TSR is to foster resiliency in those exposed to potentially traumatic stress and to help individuals and units return to normal functioning following exposure to a potentially overwhelming incident or disaster. The Mental Health Flight, chaplains and the Airman and Family Readiness Center make up the TSR team. Unlike Critical Incident Stress Management, mandatory debriefings are no longer recommended. Also, commanders consult with the TSR team chief to determine how best to serve the needs of those affected and develop an individual plan to address those needs. So what is potentially traumatic stress? Post-traumatic stress is any event with sufficient emotional power to overcome the usual coping abilities of people who are exposed to it. Training and exercises can help buffer the effects of stress, but extreme stress still has the potential to negatively impact normal and healthy individuals. The majority of these people recover in one to two weeks. Some, however, develop post-traumatic stress disorder or other significant illnesses, which can cause job "burnout" and result in them seeking separation, cross-training or retirement. Some examples of potentially traumatic stress are the suicide of a unit member, line-of-duty death, multi-casualty accident and or serious injury in the line-of-duty. Services are available to help individuals. Preparatory education, group or individual education, screening, psychological-first aid and referral for those exposed to potentially traumatic stress are offered. Individuals can seek up to four meetings with a member of the TSR team for the purpose of education and consultation. If formal medical assessment and treatment are indicated, then a referral will be placed. For more information, call Capt. Tracy Hunter at (850) 283-7511.