Self Care & Team-Care

Transcription

1 Self Care & Team-Care

2 One can give nothing whatsoever without giving oneself, that is to risk oneself. -James Baldwin

3 Objectives Understand natural responses to disaster and the influence on recovery Identify risk factors and recovery issues Recognize common stress reactions in professionals and describe strategies for self-care

4 Stress Responses to Disaster Behavioral Spiritual Emotional Physiological Cognitive Remember that the reactions that you see within each of these categories are common and temporary in the aftermath of a disaster.

5 Work shifts are normally 12+ hours. Where will you or your team take them from?

6 Possible Physiological Symptoms Loss of appetite Headaches, chest pain Diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea Hyperactivity Increase in alcohol or drug consumption Nightmares Inability to sleep Fatigue, low energy

7 Possible Psychological Symptoms Irritability, anger Self-blame, blaming others Isolation, withdrawal Fear of recurrence Feeling stunned, numb, or overwhelmed Feeling helpless Mood swings Sadness, depression, grief Denial (NOT!) Concentration, memory problems Relationship conflicts/marital discord

8 Very few people suffer from long-term mental illness following a disaster or traumatic event.

9 Vicarious Trauma: The process of changes in the rescuer resulting from empathic engagement with survivors

10 Mediating Factors Prior experience with a similar event The degree of disruption in the survivors (or responders) lives Feelings of no escape - triggers panic Individual emotional strength The lapse of time between the trauma event and the present

11 Why Self Care?

12 Self Care definition Any intentional actions you take to care for your physical, mental, and emotional health.

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14 Goals of Psychological First Aid for you & the team Reduce stress Assist survivors with current needs Promote adaptive functioning NOT designed to elicit details of traumatic experiences and losses

15 Psychological First Aid is NOT Counseling NOT Clinical Treatment NOT Critical Incident Stress Debriefing

16 Vicarious Trauma will affect you

17 Psychological First Aid: What to do Promote safety Maintain a calm presence Clear thinking Be sensitive to culture and diversity Be aware of at-risk populations Encourage connectedness Inspire hope Support self-efficacy Promote Self Care

18 Team Well-Being: What is Helpful Pre-disaster stress management training Brief personnel before response Conduct an in-depth discussion Table Top, Simulations, Role Play Emphasize teamwork Encourage breaks during operations Provide for proper nutrition Rotate positions regularly Phase out workers gradually Conduct one or more post-event operational debriefing.

19 Reducing Stress Get enough sleep Exercise/meditate Eat a balanced diet Balance work, play, and rest Allow yourself to receive as well as give - Remember that your identity is broader than that of a helper Connect with others Use spiritual resources Find your happy outlet!

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21 Strategies for Self & Team-Care Work with a Partner Pair up to monitor each other s stress Share the workload Utilize Stress Management Techniques Use available counseling assistance programs Know when you ve pushed too hard

22 Strategies for Self-Care & Team-Care Talk with team members about your emotions to process what you have seen and done Stay in touch with your family and friends Participate in memorials, rituals, and use of symbols as a way to express feelings Journal Happy Place

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24 Questions

25 Contact Information: Eric Evans, Program Director Show Me Hope Crisis Counseling Program Missouri Dept. of Mental Health Beckie Gierer, Continuity of Operations Planning Manager Missouri Dept. of Mental Health P.O. Box 687 Jefferson City, MO or Web: 25