Post Traumatic Stress Management Response Team

Cape Cod Posttraumatic Stress Management (PTSM) Team

According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Cape Cod and the Islands have elevated suicide rates, 1.5 higher than the rest of the state.  Over the last several months, several of our communities have been challenged by suicide.  In response, a PTSM Team has been formed.

What is PTSM?

PTSM is a community focused evidence based initiative developed and tested in the field over the last 15 years by a team of psychological trauma and disaster experts including Robert D. Macy, PhD.  PTSM includes psychological first aid, psychosocial stabilization and resiliency enhancement.  The goal of PTSM is to respond to traumatic incidents and large scale disasters with evidence-based public health/mental health intervention protocols incorporating ethnocultural, gender and developmental specificity so that the majority of survivors are stabilized and/or referred appropriately within the first 72 hours of the incident or disaster occurring.

Who makes up the Cape Cod PTSM Team?

The Cape Cod Posttraumatic Stress Management (PTSM) team was established in September 2009 by the Regional Office of the Department of Mental Health after several youth suicides in the region. The purpose of the PTSM team is to respond to suicides and other crisis in a coordinated manner.

The PTSM Team is made up of a wide range of representatives from the region that have been trained to provide a coordinated response in the event of a suicide completion.  Suicide and other traumatic events are a community wide issue which necessitates a coordinated response, not only by the school district but also by first responders, clinicians, town officials, community leaders, state departments and national experts.

The Director of the Department of Human Services acts as the Incident Commander for the PTSM Team and Steve Joachim, Area Director of the Deparment of  Mental Health acts as the clinical coordinator for the team.

What does the PTSM Team do?

Coordinates a rapid response in the event of a suicide completion or crisis

  • Offers coordinated clinical intervention through the Regional Office of the Department of Mental Health.
  • Offers a wide range of support to a community impacted by suicide or other traumatic event
  • Offers support and assistance to the family and first circle of survivors

How does the PTSM Team Respond?

  • All suicides should be reported to the Department of Mental Health Crisis Team confidential 24/7 hotline.
  • The clinical arm of the PTSM team, coordinated by DMH, will make initial contact with the school district, family, first circle of survivors, and/or police and offer assistance.
  • After conferring with the clinical staff at DMH, the designated Incident Commander (IC) will initiate contact and share information with the PTSM Team.
  • Depending on the circumstances of the event and the response from the community after initial outreach by DMH, the IC will determine what level of response is required and, if appropriate, will activate the team to plan a coordinated response strategy.

CALL 1-800- 322-1356 24/7 to reach the DMH Crisis Team

For more information about the PTSM Team contact Beth Albert, Director of the Department of Human Services at 508.375.6626

Community Partners