The interventions are psychoeducational rather than formal clinical counseling. CISM helps victims address the psychological aftermath of traumatic events. The types of school-based crisis interventions provided correspond with the needs of those affected. The International Critical Incident Stress Foundation conducts regular CISM training covering the CISM perspective for school crisis response. School crises are like community disasters because they affect so many people.
Communities have many natural support systems interested in helping during emergencies.
But these support systems need relevant information and pre-incident crisis intervention training. School crisis team members often take the lead in providing the critical incident stress information to these helpers and guiding their response efforts. Crisis materials and on-site informational trainings covering common reactions to grief, trauma, and critical incident stress, as well as incident specific handouts, on suicide, rape, abuse and personal safety are often appreciated. These handouts include suggestions on how to help children cope. The information helped them feel less helpless and structured concrete steps they could take to regain a sense of control and mastery.