Within how many hours should personnel involved in a traumatic event be referred to a psychological professional?

• A. 24 hours
• B. 48 hours
• C. 72 hours
• D. 96 hours

Answer: (C)

After a traumatic event, getting a psychological professional involved within 72 hours provides a practical window to assess acute distress and begin coping strategies before symptoms become more entrenched. This early contact helps identify immediate needs, offers support, and can reduce the risk of longer-term problems like PTSD, anxiety, or depression while keeping the person functioning at work. If distress is severe, seek help even sooner; delaying beyond this window can make early intervention less effective. The 72-hour timeframe balances the urgency of care with the realities of arranging services, which is why it’s the best-fit guidance.