After a patient’s unexpected death, First Aid for the emotionally wounded

In those dreadful hours, it’s possible to offer survivors lasting comfort and aid, the authors say—but you need to learn necessary skills. To that, add the model of the citizen volunteer, a supportive presence when the professionals have left.

Dr. Chez is a retired perinatologist. He is a certified Trauma intervention program (Tip) citizen volunteer, in which capacity he is officially called to crisis scenes by police, other first responders, and emergency department personnel to provide emotional and practical support to victims of traumatic events and their families in early hours after a tragedy.

Mr. Fortin is a licensed mental health professional. He established Trauma intervention programs, inc. (Tip) in 1989 as a nonprofit organization that provides immediate support to people who have been traumatized emotionally by crisis events.