The SelfCare Imperative:A Guide for Ebola Crisis Workers

Rev. Dr. Avril L’Mour Weathers, Ph.D.,Ebola Task Forcer Research Initiative,

ChairAfrican Methodist Episcopal University

Trauma and Crisis Work

In light of recent and significant research indicating that crisis workers engaged in direct practice are likely to develop symptoms of severe stress…

…it is imperative that crisis work professionals devote greater attention to and create a greater awareness of these issues among employers and co-workers.

The Self Care Imperative

The critical key to prevention and management of adverse conditions such as stress, burnout, compassion fatigue, traumatic stress and/or vicarious trauma is the practice of selfcare.

The Practice of Self-Care

Professional self-care in crisis work is an essential component of the work; and, reflects a commitment to become actively involved in maintaining one’s effectiveness as a crisis worker.

Essential to Crisis Work

A repertoire of selfcare strategies is essential to support the crisis worker in preventing, addressing, and coping with the natural, yet unwanted, consequences of helping.

Promoting Selfcare Practices

Selfcare is vital

…to the profession of crisis work for several reasons:

Selfcare is Essential

…an essential component in competent, compassionate, and ethical crisis work practice, requiring time, energy, and commitment.

Selfcare is Work Affirming

Promoting the practice of professional Selfcare in crisis work acknowledges the challenging and often overwhelming nature of our work.

Preventing Unwanted Conditions

…placing emphasis on preventing unwanted conditions and implying that tools and strategies should be part of one’s overall professional selfcare plan

…a “disorder that affects those who do their work well” characterized by deep emotional and physical exhaustion, symptoms resembling depression and a shift in one’s sense of hope

FOR EXAMPLE

Compassion Fatigue

Ethics and Cultural Competence

Professional self-care is critical to maintaining ethical and professional behavior and providing competent services in diverse settings.

Long Term Successful Outcomes

Actively preparing crisis workers with knowledge and skill for overcoming these experiences is key to long term successful outcomes.

Baker (2003) conceptualized self-care as the combination of three processes: self-awareness, self-regulation, and balancing connections

between self, others, and the larger community.

What is SelfCare?

To be conscious, moment-by-moment, of one’s own existence, surroundings, potential, limitations; being mindful of your own thought and action, being attentive to the self by showing care for your own needs.

Self-awareness

To be in control of your own life circumstances, regulating or adapting or modifying thought and behaviors to align with an enhanced quality of life.

Self-regulation

Never allow your external connections to dominate your internal life…find your balance.

Balancing Social Connections

Common Stress Reactions can be Behavioral, Physical, Psychological and/or Social

Difficulty Thinking Memory problems Disorientation and confusion Slow thought processes Difficulty setting priorities/making decisions

Loss of objectivity

Behavioral Increase or decrease in

activity level Substance use or abuse

(alcohol or drugs) Difficulty communicating or

listening Irritability, outbursts of

anger, frequent arguments

Physical Sweating or chills Tremors or muscle twitching Being easily startled Chronic fatigue or sleep

disturbances Immune system disorders

Psychological/Emotional Feeling heroic, euphoric, or invulnerable

Denial Anxiety or fear Depression Guilt Apathy

Social Isolation Blaming Difficulty in support or help

Inability to experience pleasure

12 Selfcare Tips for

Crisis Workers

#1. Take Stock

What’s on your plate?

#2 Start a SelfCare Idea Collection

#3 Find time for yourself every day –

Rebalance your workload

#4 Delegate

- learn to ask for help at home and at work

#5 Have a transition from work to home

#6 . Learn to say no (or yes) more often

#7 . Assess your Trauma Inputs

#8 . Learn more about Compassion Fatigue

and Vicarious Trauma

#9 Consider Forming a Crisis Worker

Peer Support Group

#10 Attend Workshops and/or

Professional Training Regularly

#11 Consider working part time

(at this type of job)

#12 Exercise

The key to actually increasing physical exercise is to be realistic in the goals we set out for ourselves. If you don’t exercise at all, aiming to walk around the block twice a week is realistic