Article: How to Support Aid Workers in Self Care

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How to Support Aid Workers in Self Care
by Dr. Kelly O'Donnell
CEO/Consulting Psychologist
www.membercareassociates.org

Coaches can support aid workers by coaching around self care. It is helpful to get informed as much as possible about disaster response, the work of aid workers/ organizations in such settings, and about the types of responses to extreme stressors. Some suggested resources are here.

Questions to ask aid workers to promote self care:

Please give a short overview of the work you have just done or are doing.
• What was is the most meaningful part of this assignment/mission?

What are the areas that you felt that you and your group/team did well?
• What were the main contributions you made?

What experience or aspect of the work was difficult for you?
• Who can you talk to about this, if necessary, who could help you further with this?

Any personal struggles and adjustment issues that you are experiencing now?
• How do these relate to similar struggles of colleagues and what would you like to do to get some support?

What are your immediate plans and concerns you might have about the near future?
• What social support do you have? What are the practical considerations for your next steps?

In what ways do you think you have grown and how would you like to continue your growth/training?
• What specific opportunites are you aware of and how can you find out about additional opportunities?

Note: Coaching about self care is not the same as trauma debriefing. Unless the coach is qualified, the coach should refer those who have experience trauma to someone professionally qualified to provide debriefing.

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Dr. Keith E. Webb is a trainer and experienced cross-cultural leadership coach helping organizations, teams, and individuals multiply their cross-cultural impact. Find free articles at http://www.CreativeResultsManagement.com.