Module 6 – Helping the Helpers

1. Module 6 – Helping the Helpers

2. Helpers • Responders may experience crisis because of the work they do • Often have a feeling of not having done enough • Are sometimes overwhelmed by the needs of the community • Need to cope with their own fears Helping the Helpers

3. Learning Objectives • Describe how reactions to stress may affect helpers • Give details of warning signs of stress or burnout among helpers • Describe how to provide psychological support to helpers • Give details of self-care methods for helpers Helping the Helpers

4. Challenge to Helpers • Being part of the collective crisis • Repeated exposure to grim experiences • Carrying out physically difficult, exhausting or dangerous tasks • Lacking sleep and feeling fatigued • Facing the perceived inability to ever do enough Helping the Helpers

5. Challenge to Helpers (cont.) • Feeling guilt over access to food, shelter, etc • Facing moral and ethical dilemmas • Being exposed to anger and lack of gratitude • Being detached from personal support systems • Feeling frustrated by policies and decisions by supervisors Helping the Helpers

6. Warning Signs of Burnout • Wounded ideals • Cynicism • Feeling unappreciated or betrayed by organization • Loss of enthusiasm • Grandiose beliefs about own importance Helping the Helpers

7. Warning Signs of Burnout (cont.) • Heroic but reckless behavior • Neglecting personal safety and physical needs • Mistrusting colleagues and supervisor • Antisocial behavior • Excessive tiredness • Inability to concentrate Helping the Helpers

8. Warning Signs of Burnout (cont.) • Symptoms of illness or disease • Sleep difficulties • Inefficiency • Excessive use of alcohol, tobacco or drugs Helping the Helpers

9. Create a Supportive Environment • Guidance and support from managers and peers • Open and sharing organizational culture • Regular and frequent staff meetings • Respect for confidentiality • Creation of peer support system • Have fun together Helping the Helpers

10. Self-Help Techniques • Know the normal reactions to stressful events • Be aware of your tension and consciously try to relax • Use the buddy system • Talk to someone you trust and with whom feel at ease • Listen to what people close to you say and think about the event Helping the Helpers

11. Self-Help Techniques (cont.) • Work on routine tasks if it is too difficult to concentrate on demanding duties • If you cannot sleep or feel too anxious, discuss this with someone you can trust • Express your feelings in ways other than talking: • Draw • Paint • Play music • Journal Helping the Helpers

12. Self-Help Techniques (cont.) • Do not self-medicate • Go easy on yourself • Avoid inflated or perfectionistic expectations • Seek professional advice if reactions continue Helping the Helpers

13. Activity # 17 – Decompression • Take a few moments to write down five things that help you relieve stress and feel calmer • Share these methods with the rest of the group Helping the Helpers

14. Role of Supervisors • Support emotional and developmental needs of helpers • Identify limitations on how far helpers should be pushed or stretched • Act as source of advice and help with problems Helping the Helpers