After exposure to traumatic bad news, people may display their worries or even mourning through a variety of immediate reactions and emotions, including crying, stunned silence, disbelief, fear, and anger. In addition, the family members may engage in the kind of behaviour that is often perceived as "troublesome". Because of a lack of understanding or acceptance of the incident, they may resort to information-seeking behaviour and aggression. These reactions may induce different feelings in different police officers breaking the bad news. Some may feel saddened by either sympathizing for or identifying with family members. Some may be provoked by family members' complaints or accusations. Others may find it difficult to handle the intense reactions of family members, which prevent them from getting relevant information for record purposes or further investigation.

Breaking bad news abruptly has been found to increase its negative impact on the subsequent adjustment of family members. Research shows that giving bad news in a frank and unambiguous way can alleviate some of the family members' distress. Apart from that, the following are some of the guidelines that you may need to consider when you are about to break some bad news.

1. Environment - Try to break the news to family members in a place that is quiet and private.

2. Time - Make sure that sufficient time is available for the family members to ask questions.

3. Attitude - Displaying an appropriate attitude is probably most important of all. Avoid making a cool and indifferent presentation. Be sympathetic, be considerate, but be calm.

4. Verbal - Provide information honestly, in simple language and in a sympathetic tone. Avoid technical terms and blunt statements, e.g. it is better to say "Mr Chan, I am sorry to deliver some tragic news to you. Your son is hurt in a traffic accident ......" instead of "Now I tell you, Mr Chan, your son is hurt at 0500 in a case of Dangerous Driving ......"

5. Non-verbal - Use nonverbal cues to express your sympathy and reassurance to the family members. The cues include making eye contact, giving full attention, and not interrupting when the other person is speaking. Avoid writing notes or looking elsewhere when you are breaking bad news to family members.

6. Information - Give accurate and reliable information, e.g. "Your son was unconscious when we removed him from the car and he was sent to XX Hospital."

7. Feelings - Allow the person to express his/her feelings and, if you find it appropriate, respond to their feelings with empathy, e.g. "It is really hard for you to accept this."

8. Anger - Be understanding of some angry reaction displayed by family members towards you. Do not take it personal or react to it confrontatively and do not argue with any accusations. If you are not able to calm them down after some effort of explanation, tell them "I can see that you are rather upset and may now need some time to calm down. I will come back to you later", and leave them for a while.

Stress management workshops

The PSG will organise on September 14 a series of stress management workshops to be conducted in Chinese at the Police Sports & Recreation Club Sportsman Bar. The session will last from 8.45 am to 12.30 pm and participants are expected to arrive 15 minutes before the programme starts.

The thirty places available for each session will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. Reservation: PSG (2866-6207)

Seek advice and help from the Psychological Services Group:

PHQ, Hong Kong Island and Marine: 2866-6206 (5/F, 111 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay); Kowloon and the New Territories: 2735-3739 (22/F, Ocean Building, 80 Shanghai Street, Kowloon). PEN: psg@police.gov.hk