SHIFT Supporting Heroes In mental health Foundational Training

1. SHIFT Supporting Heroes In mental health Foundational Training Helping Those Exposed to Child Pornography

2. funded byDepartment of Justice, OJJDPICAC Training & Technical Assistance This project was supported by Grant No. 2009-SN-B9-K063 awarded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Points of view or opinions in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

3. Course developed by Jane Stevenson (Workplace Wellbeing) Chuck Arnold (ICAC Task Force Commander) Mike Sullivan (ICAC Task Force Commander) Joe Laramie (ICAC Task Force Commander) in partnership with The Innocent Justice Foundation

4. Huntsville PEP-EI Jane Stevenson andJoe Laramie

5. Objectives of this Session Understand Negative Effects How to Cope and Build Resiliency Developing Workplace Support Working with a Mental Health Professional Encouraging Friend and Family Support Self-care Techniques

6. Pre- Test Delivery

7. Physiological Effects and Symptoms of Chronic Exposure

8. Physiology of Stress Stressors - Acute - Chronic Hypothalamus Adrenaline Cortisol Noradrenaline Our physiological response will depend on the severity of the stressor and the duration of the stress

9. Chronic Physiological Effect Chronic exposure to stressors can be responsible for a cumulative psychological impact. • Chronic stressors may lead to high levels of circulating cortisol. • Cumulative exposure to stressors can lead to • Burnout • Compassion Fatigue • Vicarious Trauma

10. Chronic Physiological Stressors • Chronic stressors for ICAC staff may include High workloads Exposure to distressing images Emotional interaction with child victims and/or offenders Resulting sense of hopelessness

11. Psychological Effects Burnout Compassion Fatigue Vicarious Trauma

12. Signs and Symptoms of Psychological Distress • Changes in sleep pattern • Change in eating habits • Difficulty in making decisions • Loss of concentration • Loss of sense of humour • Decrease/Loss of libido • Excessive emotion • Increased irritability with others • Suppressed/ increased anger • Risk taking behaviour EMPATHIC ENGAGEMENT:

13. Vicarious Trauma (VT) VT is a process of change relating to how an individual views themselves and the world around them Gradual process Often insidious Can include compassion fatigue Can include burnout Can be permanent Can be stopped!

14. Range of Trauma Primary (Acute) Secondary (Chronic) <-----------------Viewing CP images Interviewing a suspect Interviewing a victim UC as a mother/child UC as offender Case triage

15. Symptoms of Chronic Exposure Normal non-persistent non-intrusive Warning Signs persistent mildly intrusive Trouble Indicators persistent intrusive

16. Traditional Coping Strategies Simple Denial Rationalization Sublimation Reframing negative affect as being overworked or other conventional forms. *Durham, McCammon & Allison, (1985), †Janik (1995)

17. Video: EI talks about trying to deny

18. Maladaptive Coping Strategies Risk-taking behavior Driving too fast or angrily Alcohol abuse Substance abuse

19. Physiological Effects Physical Response to Images

20. Professional Factors, Management Response, and Personal Factors

21. Factors Influence Symptoms Professional Factors Personal Factors

22. Professional Factors Type of Work Job Itself • Killing a human • Death of a fellow officer • Being attacked • Direct contact with child abuse* Anshel, M.H. (2000)Follette et. Al (1994)

23. Professional Factors Type of Work Large caseloads, low success rate, lack of reward Lack of tools and training Images with strong emotional content Heightened empathy for the victims Images that precipitate familiarity with loved one Lack of understanding of role by society

24. Highest Higher Lower Under 1 year 1-4 years 4+ years Professional Factors Length of Time on Job Helping the Helpers: The Safeguard Program at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Juliet M. Francis, Psy.D., Gina De Arth-Pendley, Ph.D., Erin Reilly, M.A., Christine Feller, M.A., and John Shehan,

25. Professional Factors Cumulative Exposure Lack of breaks from exposure Degree of Organizational Support Isolation Peer respect Command support Volun-Told Lack of Mental Health Services

26. KIDDIE PORN

27. Management Response “Few agencies seemed to plan for the possiblity that some personnel might have problems due to exposure to child pornography.” Work-Related Exposure to Child Pornography in ICAC Task Forces and Affiliated Agencies: Reactions and Responses to Possible Stresses, Janis Wolak , Kimberly J. Mitchell, UNH Crimes Against Children Research Center, Conducted for U.S. Dept of Justice, OJJDP, 2009

28. Need for More Support Research by Jane Stevenson, UK, 2002 60% of British officers felt inadequately briefed for role Found their role to be more distressing than expected 21% “Identifying effective support for police officers and support staff, viewing child abuse images on the Internet,” Jane Stevenson. BSc (Hons), Occupational Health and Welfare

29. Lack of Preparation Survey by University of New Hampshire, 2009 19% Affiliates prepared incoming staff ICAC’s prepared incoming staff 45% Work-Related Exposure to Child Pornography in ICAC Task Forces and Affiliated Agencies: Reactions and Responses to Possible Stresses, Janis Wolak , Kimberly J. Mitchell, UNH Crimes Against Children Research Center, Conducted for U.S. Dept of Justice, OJJDP, 2009

30. Personal Factors Home-Life Stress Personal relationship stress Bringing work home Lack of outside interests

31. Personal Factors Unresolved personal or family sexual abuse Being a parent Custody battles Illness or death of child Difficulty getting pregnant

32. Resiliency and Coping

33. The Good News It is possible: to prevent and mitigate negative effects of exposure to increase professional and personal satisfaction

34. Factors that Reduce Harm • Compassion Satisfaction • Feeling of Empowerment • Feeling Part of a Group • Support and Awareness

35. Developing Workplace Strategies to Maintain Mental Health

36. Tools to Use Feeling Empowered to Coach, Educate and Inform SHIFT Educational Tools Guides Videos Identify Mental Health Professional Training

37. SHIFT VIDEO – PART 1 Video 10 minutes

38. Good Practices Work Environment Flexibility Overcoming Stigma of Asking for Help Reducing Isolation Intro – Exit Interviews

39. Group Activities (informal) Training Groups Peer Groups (formal) Peer Mentoring Peer Support

40. Enhanced Support and the Mental Health Professional

41. One-on-one Specific Tools: Choosing a mental health professional • Types of mental health professionals Employee Assistance Programs • Peer Counselors Marriage and Family Counselors Psychologists Psychiatrists

42. One-on-one Specific Tools: Choosing a mental health professional • A good mental health professional should be: Empathic Non-judgmental Experienced in dealing with emotional trauma … and someone you feel comfortable with!

43. One-on-One Specific Tools: What to expect from an MHP Confidentiality Willingness to know true nature of your job Offers tools & advice tailored for you Consider: Mandatory v Optional Intro – Exit Interview

44. Individual Support

45. Understanding how your feelings impact others Specific negative effects may include: Intrusive thoughts vs. intimacy Hyper vigilance with children Imagining own children as victims Spouse – Partner - Family

46. Understanding how others feel Feel rejected Afraid to ask questions How much do they want to know May want to fix things Spouse – Partner - Family

47. It’s ok for spouses to seek help too Written materials and video One-on-one counseling for spouse Couples therapy if needed Spousal group support meetings Informal activities with other families Spousal Coping Mechanisms Specific Tools: Seeking help

48. Including them in the discussion Age appropriate explanations Reassurance that they did nothing wrong Answer any questions they have Ok to talk about it Talking to Children Specific Techniques: Educating Children

49. Friends and Family Strategies Specific Techniques: Educating Friends Include family and friends in work social events Encourage friends and family peer support Video and written materials

50. Self-Care Techniques for the Exposed Individual