PSYCRIS · PSYcho-Social Support in CRISis Management

With the overall objective to improve psycho-social support in crisis management, the proposed project PsyCris (36-months) has the following goals: (1) status quo analysis of psychological and medical support in crises in European countries, (2) improvement of support strategies for victims and crisis managers, (3) enhancement of psycho-medical preparedness for major incidents (contingency planning), (4) development of interventions to deal with stress and reduce stress related disorders of crisis management personnel and authorities, (4) providing efficient self-help strategies to communities affected by crises and (5) investigation of long-term psychosocial, societal and cultural impact of crises.The 11 partners of the consortium comprise research centres, public bodies, small / medium enterprises and stakeholder / end-user organisations from Germany, Spain, Israel, Lithuania, Luxembourg and Austria. As its main product, the project will provide a set of tool kits enabling (1) efficient handling of relevant data, (2) transfer of knowledge and practical competences relevant for crisis management, stress control and social support and (3) rapid decision-making in concrete crises. The tool kits are integrated within a computerised knowledge system combining e-learning and face-to-face teaching.Research and development are based on a multi-disciplinary approach including methods from psychology (e.g. stress management, human resources management, psycho-trauma intervention), education sciences (e.g. knowledge management), informatics (e.g. decision making heuristics), engineering, sociology and health sciences. Current and possible changes in society, health systems and climate as well as cross-cultural and gender aspects are carefully considered. PsyCris will propose guidelines for preparedness, prevention and intervention for crises. The results will have a significant impact on public health, community resilience, international cooperation and cost containment.