Aim
The overarching aim of the Distress Brief Intervention (DBI) programme is to provide a framework for improved inter-agency co-ordination, collaboration and co-operation across a wide range of care settings, interventions and community supports, towards the shared goal of providing a compassionate and effective response to people in distress improving experience and outcomes for those experiencing distress and those providing support.
What is DBI?
The DBI ‘ask once get help fast’ approach has two essential, complimentary and interrelated levels:
DBI Level 1 is provided by front line staff such as NHS24, Emergency Departments, Police Scotland, Primary Care, Scottish Ambulance Services or others who have received the DBI Level 1 training, produced by University of Glasgow, who ease the person’s distress, provide a compassionate response and involves an offer of a seamless referral, with confidence and clarity to a DBI Level 2 service.
DBI Level 2 is provided by commissioned and trained third sector staff who contact the person within 24-hours of referral and provide compassionate, problem solving support, wellness and distress management planning, supported connections and signposting for a period of around 14 days – reducing both immediate distress and empowering ability to manage future distress. The person’s GP will be notified of the outcome of referral by the DBI service.
Who is a DBI for?
DBI is currently for those aged 16 years and over presenting in distress. However, please note that the University of Glasgow are currently leading work testing the applicability of the DBI approach for those aged under 16 via referral pathways from education and Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services. DBI is an additional pathway which compliments and doesn’t replace existing pathways to support.
For the purpose of the DBI programme distress is defined as “An emotional pain which led the person to seek help and which does not require further emergency service involvement”.