Trauma Risk Management

Methods for assessing risk and reducing the impact of trauma

Trauma Risk Management (known as TRiM) is a preventative measure designed to help non-professionals identify potential psychological trauma and escalate individual cases for help and support where required.

Originally developed by the UK Armed Forces, the TRiM system complies with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines and has been widely adopted by a wide range of public organisations and large businesses.

TRiM risk assessments are conducted by workplace peers and help to identify common risk factors associated with the experience of trauma. People tend to find it easier to talk to a colleague about their experiences in the period immediately after a traumatic incident. Those who trained in the TRiM system can identify individuals who might benefit from an early referral for qualified medical support including counselling.

Assessing trauma risk is carried out informally on a one-to-one basis or in small groups. TRiM practitioners lead a structured and supportive discussion of the incident and provide advice on coping strategies. Support is put in place for four weeks following the incident and a follow-up risk assessment will gauge how well they are coping and whether further intervention is required. If an employee is still experiencing symptoms six weeks after the incident, they are generally referred for professional treatment and support.

How occupational health service providers can help organisations to manage trauma-related risk

At Medigold Health, we can assist you to embed trauma risk management within your organisation’s HR and occupational health policies. We will work with you to identify employees across your organisation at multiple levels of seniority to train ad TRiM practitioners.

We can advise on the development of mechanisms within the workplace to address issues of trauma risk. This might include a representative group that meets regularly, an additional role as part of a health and safety committee, or a peer support programme. We can provide access to training for managers and leaders to improve their understanding of the impact of traumatic incident, their emotional intelligence and their communications skills.