Tuesday 24 February 2009

Oil & Gas UK Gives Support to Sudden Trauma Information Service Helpline

The Scottish-based Sudden Trauma Information Service Helpline (STISH) has recently received a generous donation of £10,000 from Oil & Gas UK as it celebrates its third anniversary since going live in February 2006. Financial support to establish STISH was originally provided by the former UK Offshore Operators Association (UKOOA) following a generous contribution from 21 oil and gas-related organisations.

The STISH co-ordinator, Mrs Fiona Bakke, explained: "Oil & Gas UK's ongoing support will help to ensure that the helpline can meet the steady increase in the number of calls received from survivors of sudden trauma, their families, and from professional and voluntary personnel, who provide care and support following the unexpected events of daily life, including road traffic collisions, industrial and domestic accidents, and assaults. It is now recognised that individuals who experience traumatic events may develop a post-trauma stress reaction, which in some cases does result in long-term difficulties both for victims and their family and friends."

Each individual will use different strategies to cope with his or her experience, but often the isolation and confusion are evident to survivors and their families. Frequently symptoms of post-trauma stress are not expected, or may last much longer than anticipated and lead to pressure on health and relationships. Legal and employment issues can also arise unexpectedly as a result of sudden trauma.

Whilst survivors and bereaved families and friends are commonly offered immediate support in the wake of large or well-publicised traumatic events, those affected by the sudden traumas of daily life are rarely offered immediate emotional support.  STISH represents a unique and not-for-profit service in the UK dedicated to providing a confidential source of information and advice on many issues which surface in the wake of a sudden traumatic experience, including: what are normal reactions to trauma, when should professional help be sought, what other kinds of support and help are available in the community, and relevant employment, legal and financial matters, allowing people to take control of their lives again and feel that they can do things to help themselves.

Chris Allen, health, safety, social and environment director at Oil & Gas UK added: "We are pleased to have been able to offer our continuing support to the valuable service that STISH provides in assisting individuals whose lives are impacted by sudden traumatic events. This is something that can happen to anyone at any time and it is good to know that through STISH, professional help and advice is only a phone call away."

Currently, the helpline (0845 3670998) is manned by Mrs Bakke and six trained volunteer responders from Monday to Friday 10am - 1pm and 5pm 7pm, Saturday 3pm - 6pm. Individuals interested in volunteering as STISH responders are encouraged to contact Mrs Bakke on 01224 575291 or stish1@hotmail.co.uk

A website (www.stish.org) is also available to assist the trained helpline responders quickly identify relevant and accurate information and to enable such information to be accessible in the public domain.

ENDS                                                                                     

Notes to Editors

1. Below is an accompanying photograph of Chris Allen presenting the cheque to Sandy Kemp, chair of the STISH Management Committee.
2. STISH operates under the aegis of the Aberdeen Counselling and Information Service (ACIS); a project of Mental Health Aberdeen, which has extensive experience of delivering services in the mental health sector.  STISH however is not a counselling service. It operates as a signposting service to refer adult survivors of sudden trauma to professionally accredited referral agencies that can provide specialist treatment, counselling, or advice, depending on the individuals requirements and location.
3. Oil & Gas UK is the leading representative organisation for the UK offshore oil and gas industry.  Its members are companies licensed by the Government to explore for and produce oil and gas in UK waters and those who form any part of the industry's supply chain.
4. Timeline of the helpline:

• Concept of the helpline first proposed by Mrs Anne Bone (OBE) in the wake of the Piper Alpha oil platform disaster
• In 1999, STISH was registered as a Scottish charity (SC029669).  STISH was established with the help of the Aberdeen Centre for Trauma Research (Faculty of Health & Social Care, The Robert Gordon University).
• Former Beirut hostage, Mr Terry Waite, formally launched STISH on 29^th November, 2006.

It is managed by the STISH Management Committee (Mr Sandy Kemp [STISH Chairman, Partner, Simpson & Marwick Solicitors]; Dr Susan Klein (STISH Deputy Chairman, Reader in Trauma Research, RGU); Professor David A Alexander [Director, ACTR]; Ms Anne Bone [Social Worker and Counsellor]; Mr David McIntosh [Emergency Planning and Business Continuity Manager Grampian Emergency Planning Unit]; and Dr Samuel Sinclair [Formerly Chief Superintendent, Grampian Police, Facilitator Camphill Scotland]; Ms Astrid Whyte [Chief Executive, Mental Health Aberdeen]). 

For further information, please contact:

Britta Hallbauer Press & PR Manager 3rd Floor, The Exchange 2 62 Market Street Aberdeen AB11 5PJ Tel: 01224 577331 Mob: 07891769113 Email: bhallbauer@oilandgasuk.co.uk