STAR (Sandhills Team for Assistance and Response) is a community-based group of professionals with a variety of backgrounds ranging from mental health and emergency medical services to law enforcement and fire safety. This team of professionals works together to help prevent and minimize the harmful effects of stress following a traumatic event.

STAR can provide immediate crisis intervention to assist groups of people in any type of business, industry, public agency or community group who may need emotional support and stress-management assistance in the aftermath of a critical incident such as:

• Fire, explosion, industrial accident or highway accident that results in death or serious injury
• Any incident involving multiple casualties
• Suicide or sudden, unexpected death
• Death of a child or violence to a child
• An act of violence that causes death or serious injury
• The death or serious injury of law enforcement or emergency response personnel in the line of duty
• Any event of extreme violence or destruction

Victims and witnesses of critical incidents, as well as victims’ families, emergency response personnel and others, can experience serious emotional distress, either as an immediate or a delayed reaction. STAR is available to:

• Prevent post-traumatic stress syndrome
• Help establish a relationship with mental health professionals
• Identify those who may need additional assessments
• Make referrals for counseling or other follow-up services

Commercial, industrial or public service employers are encouraged to contact STAR so that we can become familiar with the nature of your work and your workforce. That knowledge will enable us to provide the fastest and most helpful intervention in the event of an emergency.

To learn more about STAR or to discuss your organization’s potential need for critical incident intervention, please call (910) 715-1504.