WHAT IS THE CORTLAND COUNTY POST-TRAUMA RESPONSE TEAM (PTRT)? 

If given accurate information and strategies for coping, most individuals that have experienced a recent traumatic loss or other impactful event are able to resume their normal activities and routines after a short while. Sometimes people need additional support and information in order to return to those normal routines and emotions. We are a group of volunteer team members available to provide these supportive services at no cost to agencies, businesses, and/or informal groups who have experienced a recent suicide, sudden traumatic loss, or other traumatic incident. Team members have received training in healthy processing, Mental Health First Aid, and/or have other related skills.

What happens when I call the Post-Trauma Response Team?

• When you call 2-1-1 to activate the team, the 2-1-1 call center will collect details from you to ensure that PTRT is the appropriate resource and then have PTRT leader call you back to assist further

• Both 2-1-1 and then the team leader will each ask you a series of different questions to gain further understanding of your situation and be able to assist you more fully

• If the team leader determines a response would be appropriate, they will work with you to find an appropriate location, date, and time, then will reach out to other team members to see who is available to help respond

• Typically at least three PTRT members will attend a response

• Responses are processed in groups of individuals who are similar

  • Typical response groups could include a group of students, a group of co-workers, a group of friends, a group of parents

  • We try to avoid mixed response groups such as students and teachers together or parents and children together as reactions and openness can vary based on group membership similarities

• More than one group debrief can be scheduled depending on the size and composition of the individuals requesting services

• The team can also provide information and referral regardless of whether or not you decide to schedule a debrief

• Occasionally community institutions such as schools that experience a sudden and traumatic loss have requested the Post-Trauma Response Team’s assistance with mental health triage – generally the PTRT does not provide this service directly but will refer to qualified clinicians and/or mental health provider organizations represented on the team who are sometimes willing to provide this service on a case-by-case basis

Why call the Post-Trauma Reponses Team?

• Participating in a PTRT processing can assist those impacted by a sudden traumatic loss (by either suicide or other means) or event from becoming “stuck” and can promote individual and community healing

• The PTRT process seeks to reduce the often overwhelming feelings of helplessness, confusion, heightened anxiety, and other typical reactions associated with experiencing trauma

• Any member of the community, agency representative, police jurisdiction, fire department, hospital, school, faith-based organization, or other organization can call to invite a response by the team

What is the make up of the Post-Trauma Reponses Team?

• The team is made up of trained community volunteers willing to submit community members who have suffered a trauma

• Team members come from all backgrounds. While we do have some professional mental health counselors volunteering on our team, we also have teachers and other school staff, first responders, faith leaders, and other interested community members

• Team members are all community volunteers or volunteer as part of work hours with permission of their employer as a community service

What the Post-Trauma Reponses Team is not:

• This is not one on one or group mental health or grief counseling

• This is not Mobile Crisis – we do not respond 24/7 and we do not respond to calls immediately

Examples of Post-Trauma Reponses Team Activations:

• Local Schools: Multiple responses to deaths including motor vehicle accidents, suicide, murder, etc. (retired teacher, coach, current student, recently graduated student)

• Ambulance Services, Fire Departments, 911 Call Center, and Hospital: Motor vehicle accidents and traumatic deaths witnessed​

• Local Businesses: traumatic work injury, hostage situation, death of an employee, death of a co-worker’s child