What is ICETRE?

The vision of the Centre is to be the innovative focal point for academic research, education and consultancy in psychotraumatology within Iceland. The Centre will provide a strong link between academia and the field, encourage research and continued education on traumatic stress for emergency responders as well as other populations and support providers e.g. psychologists, in designing interventions aimed to reduce effects of traumatic events. The vision of the Centre is to make Reykjavik University an active and internationally recognized leader in the field of trauma and its effects on health which will be achieved through innovation, national and international collaboration such as collaboration with international universities specializing in psychotraumatology as well as similar centres and institutes worldwide.

The center has four main goals:

First, to support and strengthen training amongst young scholars by promoting basic and applied research projects and collaboration in diverse trauma related contexts and settings in Iceland with main focus on emergency services.

Second, to disseminate up to date evidence based information on trauma and its effects to the Icelandic emergency response services, their mental health providers and other related groups.

Third, to promote skills training in the field on post-trauma management and support as well as effective leadership practices in terms of trauma, both on a professional, semi-professional and governmental level as well as within organizations.

Fourth, to provide support and consultancy to emergency service providers during emergencies, working in close co-operation with the Civil Defense, Landspitali – The National University Hospital of Iceland, Directorate of Health in Iceland and non-governmental organizations who have their main focus on trauma in the general public e.g. the Icelandic Red Cross.