The Psychologist on Duty is part of the SAMUR-Civil Protection operation and is assigned among his functions to provide emergency psychological assistance in all potentially traumatic situations due to the high emotional impact that the event may cause to the patient’s relatives, witnesses or those involved in the incident. or in those where the psychologist is the most suitable resource, as specified in the Procedures Manual. Learn about our cpi certification verification at our cpi certification verification page.

The care function is exercised from a comprehensive and multidisciplinary model (health and psychological care), carried out in situ in the first moments after a traumatic event. The psychological intervention is based on the theoretical framework of the preventive approach of crisis intervention as psychological first aid, following the guidelines set out in the Psychological Assistance Procedures. 

The main objectives of this psychological intervention after a traumatic event are: 

  • Minimize short-term psychological impact. 
  • Facilitate an adequate coping with potentially stress-generating situations due to their high emotional content. 
  • Reduce the probability of the appearance of a psychopathological disorder in those people who have been direct, indirect, implicated patients, relatives, friends or relatives in traumatic and unexpected events. 
  • Inform and guide on specific help resources. 
  • Promote the access of the population at risk to the health care network.  

Psychological Intervention Unit (UPSI) 

The Psychological Intervention Unit (UPSI) is a vehicle adapted to the circumstances in which the professional work of the emergency psychologist is carried out. This vehicle fulfills the functions of isolating the patient from the shocking situation that generates stress and social pressure. Another function is to preserve her intimacy, while creating a suitable environment so that she can let off steam emotionally and communicate with other family members. etc. 

Coordinated action for suicide prevention 

In 2012, a coordinated action project was launched for the prevention of suicide SAMUR-Civil Protection – Jiménez Díaz Foundation, called Code 100. 

The common objective of both institutions is to reduce the number of people who commit suicide due to lack of continuity in the chain of care and follow-up of the case. 

Our service acts as a link for early detection and treatment in cases of patients with suicidal ideation or suicide attempt, channeling them to the hospital, where they will be guaranteed continuous assistance from the crisis to stabilization in a specific mental health program with follow-up for a anus. 

Psychosocial intervention in massive emergencies/disasters 

The most notable intervention in our history is the work carried out after the attacks of March 11, 2004. SAMUR-Civil Protection was responsible for coordinating the psychological intervention carried out at the Madrid Fairgrounds (IFEMA). Together with other institutions, more than 200 affected families were assisted. Subsequently, individual and group work was carried out with 75 health workers from SAMUR-Civil Protection and with 141 firefighters. 

Another noteworthy intervention is the one carried out after the attack on the T4 terminal in Barajas. The relatives of the victims were accompanied at the airport, hotel, forensic anatomical institute, and during the burial of the remains in Ecuador (two teams went there to accompany the two families). 

In the earthquake in Peru, in August 2007, a team of psychologists was part of the contingent displaced to the site. Their work consisted of intervening with the victims as well as providing support to the rest of the health professionals. 

Another important intervention device was organized on August 20, 2008 due to the plane crash that caused 154 fatalities. The psychological intervention with relatives and close friends took place from the first moment at the Barajas airport, carrying out 274 psychological assistance and 99 processes of notification and accompaniment to relatives during that day and the following ones in IFEMA, Hotel Auditorium and Almudena Cemetery. Another important front was dedicated to monitoring the intervening health workers of SAMUR-Civil Protection.