Q. "Several members of our staff witnessed a traumatic event. How can we best support them?"
Answer:
As a ministry, supporting your team through such an experience is not just good HR practice; it's a compassionate and spiritual imperative. Your response in the immediate aftermath, and in the weeks and months that follow, can aid the healing process. Here’s a strategic and empathetic approach to supporting staff who have witnessed trauma:
Offer Psychological First Aid
This isn't therapy, but a supportive presence. Listen without pressuring them to talk, provide practical help (like a quiet space, water), and connect them to resources. Normalize their reactions (shock, fear, confusion are common).
Provide Flexible Time Off and Dedicated Support Leave
Offer flexible time off that extends beyond standard sick or vacation days. Consider establishing a separate bank of paid trauma leave for those who need more time to process, grieve, or seek professional help. This prevents staff from depleting their regular leave for an extraordinary event.
Facilitate Access to Professional Mental Health Resources
Connect staff directly with qualified mental health professionals. This could involve providing a stipend for therapy or coordinating group debriefing sessions with a trauma specialist. Emphasize confidentiality and destigmatize seeking help. Frame it as a strength, not a weakness.
It impacts individuals differently and recovery isn't linear, so your team could be feeling the effects for months or even years. Moving forward, educate both staff and leadership on the potential long-term effects of trauma. Here are a few guidelines that should inform your culture for the foreseeable future:
Balance open communication and check-ins with respecting individual needs for space.
Encourage leaders to model self-care and create an environment where staff feel safe to express their needs without fear of judgment or professional repercussion.
Promote empathy and patience, understanding that performance or behavior might fluctuate.
Be mindful of triggers and prepared to offer ongoing support or accommodations as the situation evolves over time.