Which of the following describes a primary goal of CISM?

The primary goal of CISM, or Critical Incident Stress Management, focuses on addressing acute stress and lowering the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among individuals who have experienced a critical incident. CISM involves a structured process aimed at helping individuals cope with the stress reactions that can occur after traumatic events, making it a vital resource for those in high-stress professions, such as emergency services, healthcare, and even military settings.

By addressing acute stress in a timely manner, CISM aims to mitigate the potential long-term psychological effects of trauma, which includes preventing the development of PTSD. This proactive approach is essential in helping affected individuals process their experiences and regain emotional stability.

In contrast, creating new emergency protocols is more about preparedness and response rather than dealing with personal mental health after the fact, while long-term mental health therapy focuses on ongoing treatment rather than immediate stress management. Improving patient care outcomes, while important, is more related to quality of care and service delivery rather than specifically addressing the mental health aspects associated with critical incidents.