Copy - Self Care

SecondaryTrauma

SELF CARE

Those who work in helping professions are at a greater risk of experiencing secondary trauma or secondary trauma stress.

Secondary trauma is experienced indirectly through repetitive exposure to hearing details or witnessing the aftermath of a trauma experienced by another person.

The stress resulting from helping or wanting to help a traumatized or suffering person.

Health Care professionals and 1st responders work with children, adults, and families who have been traumatized or are in serious distress. They listen to their stories and feel their pain, helplessness and loss of hope.

Anxiety & Isolation

Physical Ailments

What is Secondary Trauma?

Sleep Disorders

The practice of taking an active role in protecting one's own well-being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress

The practice of taking action to preserve or improve one's own health

What is Self-Care?

Research has been done to verify that caregivers are at high risk of experiencing symptoms of secondary trauma. Self-Care has been identified, through research, as the greatest prevention of experiencing the negative effects of secondary trauma. It is important for professional caregivers to take optimal care of themselves in order to maintain resiliency and the ability to provide superior service to those clients who trust and rely upon us to assist with their needs.

Maintaining high levels of compassion and empathy required by caregiving professionals can be difficult, given the intensity and high demands of the work.Health care Professionals including but not limited to: mental health professionals, medical practitioners, first responders and Social Workers are exposed to the traumas of the clients they serve. This indirect exposure to graphic material can be through hearing the stories told by clients/patients or by assisting them during or immediately following a trauma.

Why Self Care?

“Every one of us needs to show how much we care for each other and, in the process, care for ourselves.” — Princess Diana

Provides An Outlet For Emotions

Is Crucial For Physical Well-Being

Produces Feel-Good Hormones

Boosts Our Mental Health

Benefits of Self Care

Self Care

Helps Improves Quality Of Life

Helps Us To Deal With Trauma

Increases Self-Awareness

Boosts Self-Esteem

Reduces Stress And Anxiety

Peer Support Provided To CWS Staff examples of staff support group topics:

Peer Consultation

Relaxation Techniques

Vicarious Trauma

Burnout & Stress

a disciplined process of mutual benefit for helping professionals to provide critical and supportive feedback

Techniques such as deep breathing, visualization, meditation, and yoga

the accruing effect of being exposed to someone else's trauma

a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.

Child Protective staff working in intensive crisis settings experience excess stress, which if unrelieved can lead to burnout and eventual resignations from their positions. Staff support groups can be beneficial in preventing burnout and enhance staff retention, provide positive team environment, personal and professional growth.

Peer Support Provided To CWS Staff

You are entitled to up to 5 visits per issue, in-person or on-line

Need help? AnthemEAP

Call toll-free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week Company Code: PRISM We offer sessions in-person, on-line, or over the phone.

anthemEAP.com

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833-954-1064