U.S. Navy Special Psychiatric Rapid Intervention Team (SPRINT)
Abstract
Catastrophic events cause immediate and long-term psychological distress. Example of problems seen in military personnel involved in peacetime disasters are the collision between the USS Kennedy and USS Belknap and the sinking of the USCGC Cuyahoga. A group of mental health professionals, called the Special Psychiatric Rapid Intervention Tema (SPRINT) has attempted to aid military disaster victims by using the principles of combat psychiatry. The objective of this paper is to describe their approach to treating disaster victims and relate some observations made during their deployments. The author interviewed personnel who have deployed on SPRINT interventions, those involved in formation of the original team and included his own observations made as is was conceived. SPRINT uses the principles of combat psychiatry. They include brevity, immediacy, centrality, expectancy, proximity and simplicity. Functionally their deployments can be divided into six parts: preparation, pre-deployment, planning with the command, treatment, memorial services and debriefing. The response to SPRINTS services by many the survivors, their families and those in the chain of command have been very enthusiastic. However, scientific studies are needed to document its long-term effectiveness. Keywords. post-traumatic stress disorder.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1985
- Accession Number
- ADA163116
Entities
People
- Brian G. Mccaughey
Organizations
- Naval Health Research Center