CRISIS TEAM CALL VOLUME HAS RISEN 60% SINCE 2014: VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT

East County News Service

March 19, 2019 (San Diego) — Since 2014,  the volume of crisis team calls received by Trauma Intervention Programs of San Diego (TIP) has risen by 60%.  Last year, TIP responded to 1,199 scenes of tragedy, helping 5,288 residents in our community—and the organization is seeking additional volunteers.

“Providing  crisis intervention immediately after a tragedy in collaboration and working side by side with emergency response personnel, TIP volunteers add another dimension to the emergency response system: compassionate support,” says Sher DeWeese, executive director.  “Tragedy does not discriminate and the need for TIP services will continue to be there.”

Specially trained citizen volunteers provide care and support to residents who have been traumatized by a personal tragedy or are in a state of crisis. Often survivors are alone, in shock and dismay following a sudden tragedy. TIP partners with Fire, Law Enforcement, Hospitals and the Medical Examiner’s and offers crisis intervention 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Volunteers are trained to respond to a variety of tragedies to offer support: house fires, natural death, drowning, sudden infant deaths (SIDS), suicide, homicide, community disasters are a few examples.

DeWeese attributes the increase in part to partner agencies getting word out about TIP’s service and utilizing volunteers for more than bereavement calls after a death, but also to a rise in factors that may contribute to trauma, such as the opioid crisis.

TIP San Diego is continuing to seek skilled compassionate individuals who have an aspiration to give back to their community. Consider being a TIP volunteer today and sign up for an upcoming academy in your area. For more information visit www.TIPSanDiego.org or call 855.TIPSD.HELP.