MISSION STATEMENT of the MIT Police Peer Support and CISM Team:
The MIT Police Peer Support and CISM Team is a diverse and dedicated group, whose mission is to provide a resource of specially trained peers, who volunteer to make themselves available to respond to a whole spectrum of emotional, stressful and/or traumatic life events or critical incidents and offer confidential assistance and support in times of personal need. Team members promote a holistic approach to wellness for our officers, dispatchers and other department members, whose main goal is to safeguard the MIT campus to allow for an interactive, friendly, and supportive environment for all to thrive. All Peer Support members are educated, trained, and hold certifications and membership through the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF).
GOALS of the MIT Police Peer Support and CISM Team:
- Confidential assistance and support that is not a legal inquiry, investigation, or about placing blame in any way. It is about personal emotional responses to real life events or traumatic incidents, not the mere facts of the incident. During activations or assistance from team members no notes are taken and recording devices are not allowed.
- Proactively provide critical incident stress management and educational support necessary to help ensure that all members remain productive, optimal functioning and generally healthy. This is accomplished by listen to your needs, assess your situation, and potentially refer you to the most appropriate services providers.
- Increase our Team’s capacity through knowledge, education and training, in accordance with best practices, to enhance the quality of response to those needing services. A multi-disciplined, holistic approach, encompassing emotional, physical, spiritual, social and occupational wellness. Support and assistance can also be provided to family members of our department members.
- Confidentiality- Exceptions-Information concerning the commission of a crime; mandatory reporter requirements under the law; and employee is a danger to themselves or an immediate danger to others.