Midlands Crisis Chaplaincy

Part III, Line 28

“| Explanation:| The ministry of Midlands Crisis Chaplaincy makes a significant contribution to the quality of life and the overall desirability of the Camden Kershaw County community as a place to live and work because of its dual ministries of Pastoral Care and Critical Incident Stress Management devoted to the Public Safety agencies. Public safety as an area of employment places inordinately high levels of stress upon its employees. There is regular and intense exposure to danger frustration death human misery and degradation that have a very damaging effects on those who serve. As a group Public Safety personnel suffer much higher incidence of divorce stress related physical and emotional illness substance abuse and suicide. Having the services of an agency chaplain and the installation of a stress management program can make a significant contribution to the effectiveness of a particular agency see appendix A. The federal law enforcement agencies were the first to explore the impact of PTSD and set about developing a response to it. Over the past twenty years a significant body of research has validated the scope and severity of this problem. Out of this has grown a response system known as Critical Incident Stress Management that relies on proactive training and post-incident debriefings to help public safety personnel successfully cope with chronic stress and traumatic incident stress. Agency chaplains are frequently significant contributors or in fact leaders in the programs. At any given time 15 - 32% of emergency responders will be dealing with the effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD. Law enforcement officers in general have a higher incidence of PTSD than Vietnam veterans. The figures for both groups run 10 to 20 times the rate for the general population. American Police Beat Magazine reports that police officers are twice as likely to die from suicide than violent assaults. Police officers have a 50% higher divorce rate than any other profession. A Critical Incident Stress Management program can reduce and sometimes eliminate the debilitating effects of critical incidents and cumulative stress. It can promote a more positive coping behavior create a more positive work atmosphere and reduce the emotional isolation often experienced after critical incidents.”