When tragedy strikes a business, leaders immediately look to CCN and our Critical Incident Response Specialists for direction. How managers respond during the first hours after a disaster offers both tremendous opportunity and serious risk for the subsequent outcomes, and you are in a strategic position to influence that trajectory. That positive or negative response will echo throughout the organization's strata, as employees take their cue from the charted direction. Management training, regardless of industry, tends to focus upon technical skills, processes, and outcomes. When a workplace tragedy occurs many managers experience a flood of emotional stress as they deal with issues well outside of their training and comfort zones. Managers also often feel overly responsible for the well-being of their employees while simultaneously feeling under-skilled to respond. The result of this combination can be highly stressed, emotionally fatigued managers. Add to this all of the impacted employees, each experiencing their own set of reactions and looking for comfort, support and guidance in the immediate aftermath. As a CCN Specialist your timely delivery of psychological first aid makes a huge difference in the lives of those you touch and is of immense value to the company as well.

Compassion, however, often comes at a price. Being a critical incident responder means intervening when the emotions are at their most raw, when grief is most intense. Often we find ourselves at locations where the visible reminders of the day’s tragedy are clearly apparent, making us a part of the event in a way we may not have anticipated. We become the repository of other’s stories, some describing events that have the power to impact us long after we have left the site. We bear witness to the pain, and the resilience, of those who have endured events that should never have happened. As Critical Incident Response professionals we are aware of these dynamics and risks, and remain undeterred in our commitment to help those most in need. This edition of PracticePoints addresses the issue of compassion fatigue – a condition about which any mental health provider who works with trauma is very familiar. Being there on the worst day of someone’s life is a tremendous honor and brings many rewards. It is also a tremendous responsibility that brings personal challenges. We hope the articles and video provide both caution and resources for those leading people through crises. Take care; we need you for the long haul.
Best!

Jeff

Jeff Gorter, LMSW
Account Executive
Clinical Team Member 

This video provides an in-depth look at vicarious trauma (an element of compassion fatigue) and how to recognize its warning signs. Presented in a warm and genuine style, this brief section of a larger program offers content that may be helpful to anyone in a position of assistance with employees following a traumatic event.  To view the video click Compassion Fatigue Video.
This video was developed in partnership between the Denver District Attorney's Office, FCPEI, Denver Victim Assistance and Law Enforcement Board (VALE) and the Office for Victims of Crime. The Initiative is supported by a grant from the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice.

Are you concerned that you may be experiencing compassion fatigue? This simple test may help you determine if you are at risk for CF.
Note:This self-test is not intended to provide medical advice or diagnosis. Consult a physician or mental health professional if you think you might be suffering from Compassion Fatigue.
To take this anonymous test click self-test .

We truly appreciate your service as a Crisis Care Network Specialist. When a traumatic event strikes a workplace, time and again you have answered the call - your commitment makes a tremendous difference! In turn, we are committed to supporting you in every way possible and welcome your feedback so we can serve you better.
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Again, thank you for your continued service and partnering in the important work we do!