How to support your staff through traumatic events

For many, 2020 has been a rough start to the year.

With the horrific bushfires in Australia and fear of the spread of Coronavirus globally and locally, many workplaces are dealing with staff directly or indirectly impacted by trauma emanating from these events.

Some lost loved ones, their homes and/or animals in the fires or are close to those who have. They may have fought the fires with the CFA on behalf of grateful communities, helped their neighbours or friends defend their homes or evacuate from harm’s way under intense circumstances. Family or friends may be isolated or quarantined in the Coronavirus response or are waiting on tenterhooks for news on affected relatives or friends.  Both of these situations are ongoing.

Emotionally and physically so many Aussies have been traumatised, so what can you, a colleague or supervisor do to help?

Everyone deals with trauma differently.  There is no ˜right way’.  Some will want to talk about it whilst others won’t.  Some find it difficult to focus or will withdraw, while others are all talk.  Some are emotional whilst others behave just like they did before the events. What is common to all is what they’ll need from you as their workmate or Manager.

Listen

Truly listen.  This is not interrupting them with your own view on what has happened, cutting them short or telling them how they ˜should’ be feeling, for example œaren’t you angry at those darn polliesœ? It is not about making them feel their reaction is wrong or ˜making’ them talk about it if they don’t want to.

Listening is being present in the moment with them.  Listening is letting them share what they wish to (or not). Listening is letting them express as little or as much as they wish.  Listening is not judging.  Listening is accepting a perspective and allowing them to share.  Whatever their reaction, remind yourself they are having a very normal response to a very abnormal and traumatic event, and let them express what and how they feel in a way appropriate to them.

Acknowledge

“I used to think the worst thing in life was to end up all alone. It’s not.
The worst thing in life is to end up with people that make you feel alone.
Robin Williams

Acknowledge how they feel. When you acknowledge how someone feels they feel supported and not alone. Statements such as œI can’t imagine how frightened you would have been are appropriate. Everyone will feel differently as everyone’s experience is different – sad, angry, frightened, scared or frustrated – empathise and acknowledge their feelings and accept their reaction as just that – their unique reaction.

The worst thing you can do is tell them how they ‘should be feeling’ or what you think they should do to fix, or get relief from the situation. They won’t feel listened to or heard.  When you are present, listen deeply and acknowledge how they feel – they will feel heard and supported and most importantly, not alone.

Support

Know the difference between listening and acknowledging vs counselling.  As a Manager or work colleague it is not our role to provide counselling at work.  Rather, our role is to support people the best way we can, and when it comes to the psychological side of dealing with trauma, this support includes encouraging them to seek professional support.

Never attempt to provide counselling to others unless you are qualified to do so.  Why?  Trauma is a tricky topic to integrate and process, and you may do more harm than good if you venture into this territory (even with the best intent) without the skills and knowledge to truly help.  Also, the workplace is often a refuge for people experiencing trauma and to blur boundaries by attempting to help them ˜process’ emotion at work, can have countless side effects.

Your role is to listen, acknowledge and support.  This support may include referrals to a professional and often practical help such as flexible work hours or working from home, time off, food, clothing or housing or perhaps reduced workloads.  These supports are needed, wanted and will show you care without venturing into territory where you are not qualified to offer advice.

Listen – acknowledge – support. Three simple steps that will make a huge difference.

Where you or your staff can get support

Lifeline
13 11 14
Lifeline provides free, 24-hour Telephone Crisis Support service in Australia. Volunteer Crisis Supporters provide suicide prevention services, mental health support and emotional assistance, not only via telephone but face-to-face and online.

Beyond Blue
1300 22 4636
Beyond Blue is an Australian independent non-profit organisation working to address issues associated with depression, suicide, anxiety disorders and other related mental disorders

Embrace Multicultural Mental Health 
(02) 6285 3100
A national platform for multicultural communities and Australian mental health services to access resources, services and information in a culturally accessible format.

Headspace
1800 650 890
Free online and telephone service that supports young people aged between 12 and 25 and their families going through a tough time.