Little eyes, little ears - Agence de la sante publique du Canada

little eyes,little earsTaking careof yourself 2Hearing horrific storiesfrom women and childrenchanges usBe prepared for the emotional impact you may feel whenworking with victimized women and children. Their storiesmay leave you feeling sad, angry, or shocked. While thesefeelings are normal, it is not helpful to share them directlywith the woman or her children.How can thiswork affect me?• howWhen you need to talk, find a supervisoror colleague for debriefing.I feel (e.g., anxious), think (e.g., diminishedconcentration), act (e.g., use of coping strategiessuch as alcohol to relax), and interact with others(e.g., withdrawal from friends)• my• myhealth (e.g., somatic reactions, impairedimmune system)work as a professional, including performanceof job tasks, morale, interpersonal relationshipswith colleagues, and behaviour on the job(e.g., absenteeism)What can I do?• develop constructive coping strategies such as goodnutritional habits, exercise, adequate sleep, hobbies,massage, time to relax• avoid overwhelming myself with overwork,take breaks, limit overtime hours• be aware of negative coping strategies (e.g.,using alcohol/drugs to cope)• develop and maintain good support networks,both on and off the job• work within my agency to establish debriefingprotocols and other strategies to mitigate thecumulative effects of the workJan Richardson (2001). Guidebook onVicarious Trauma: Recommended Solutions forAnti-Violence Workers. Ottawa: Health Canada.[www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/nc-cn]If you start to feel that your work is affectingyou in these ways, seek assistance or consulta supervisor.38