Bereavement: Intervention Following an Accident Involving Multiple Deaths and no Survivors

Abstract

Abstract : Accidents resulting in multiple deaths of service personnel involved in a military mission can cause the personnel of the parent command and their dependents to be stunned and in considerable distress. The bereavement that follows can be so severe that unit readiness is impaired. Mental health clinicians may be called upon to intervene in this situation. The objective of this paper was to devise an intervention plan that could be put into effect by clinicians and be comprehensive enough to involve the entire command and its dependents. A plan was devised that was divided into two phases: (1) evaluation and preparation, and (2) intervention. It was suggested that the first phase consist of meetings with key command personnel, formulating an understanding of the situation, identifying high-risk personnel and selecting members for a response team. The intervention phase was recommended to consist of structured meetings with one or more of the following groups: (1) the entire command, (2) small groups, (3) high-risk personnel, (4) non-functioning personnel, (5) upper command personnel, and (6) dependents.