secondary trauma

[Zoe Girl]

My supervisor was on a jury for about 3 weeks. It was a human trrafficking case that affected kids in the age ranges and even in the schools we work in. So she is seriously affected, waking up crying, distracted, upset, etc. She did mention she had thought about therapy, which would be what I really recommend. However I don't think she is going to do it. Any wonderful experiences or ideas? I think I am going to give her the information of where I took my kids on a sliding scale for years, it is also open later hours to work with our schedules.

[herbgeek]

I'm not so sure its a good idea to pre-emptively tell your boss they need mental health support. If they request a reference, or bring it up to you and ask for your advice, then ok, fine, share. At least in the environment where I work, that would definitely be crossing a line. Your environment may be different.

[razz]

That kind of trauma is hard to deal with.

I was once invited by a dear friend to serve on the board of the newly formed Women's Shelter. I declined to her dismay because I knew that I could not handle hearing about the cases of abuse of the women and children. I had seen things during my first job that I had struggled with so did not need to add to the problem.
Is there a support system for jurors in your area? It is being discussed in Canada because in some of the cases, the jurors end up with PTSD impacting their families, employment etc.

May I suggest that she seek therapy not for herself as much as making sure that she protects her family from its effects. That approach may work better.

[Zoe Girl]

I think it is in our culture, and it is based on her saying she may need therapy and talking about the experience. So not just a random 'hey you look like you need therapy' which would be a bad way to go about it.

She is very careful to not share the details, I learned to not share about some of my kids and what was happening outside of the people who needed to know. Even with my new staff I am cautious to share, she thinks we are talking about her but we just reassure her that we are not.

[ToomuchStuff]

My supervisor was on a jury for about 3 weeks. It was a human trrafficking case that affected kids in the age ranges and even in the schools we work in.

In the schools you work? So your kids are trafficked?
Please be clear, as this should affect more then just her.

[bae]

When my fire/rescue/ems department has a harrowing encounter, we have group after-action sessions to talk over things, and have individual counseling resources available to us. They are very helpful.

[Simplemind]

Not sure where you live but you can look online under Trauma Intervention Program. They may have a chapter in your area. If not the website has a lot of helpful resource information. I shocked she was picked for the jury considering her connection to the students. Perhaps the District Attorney's office has contacts as well.

[Zoe Girl]

In the schools you work? So your kids are trafficked?
Please be clear, as this should affect more then just her.


She was on a jury for a case of human trafficking. Some of the victims are from our school system. So now she is hyper aware of our older student programs like the middle schools. We do not run high school programs and only have a few middle schools. Still we do have older siblings and extended families we know well.

[Zoe Girl]

When my fire/rescue/ems department has a harrowing encounter, we have group after-action sessions to talk over things, and have individual counseling resources available to us. They are very helpful.

After the Aurora Theater shooting they offered a lot of support and group counseling for my daughter and all her coworkers. I was happy with how they handled it, and offered some more support when everyone had to be depositioned (sp?). I work on the side for an organization that does mindfulness training in a variety of places. One place they want to work is with first responders and 911 call operators. I am not sure if they have the contract yet, it was in the works last I checked.

I offer my staff a full 30 minutes of my time after they make a social services call. They don't always need it but simple things like telling them that NO ONE feels good about making a call helps.

[ToomuchStuff]

She was on a jury for a case of human trafficking. Some of the victims are from our school system. So now she is hyper aware of our older student programs like the middle schools. We do not run high school programs and only have a few middle schools. Still we do have older siblings and extended families we know well.


So your system, but not your/her school? Could she take this knowledge she doesn't want, and turn it into something useful, like a warning system for both the kids and teachers? (what to look for, signs, warnings etc) Ask the local LEO community for tips, talks, etc? Empower her to make a difference, instead of feeling traumatized by it? (get angry, never again, not on my watch sort of thing)

[bae]

One place they want to work is with first responders and 911 call operators. I am not sure if they have the contract yet, it was in the works last I checked.


Wee bunny trail: these days, more and more organizations are realizing that 911/dispatch folks are first responders as well. Hereabouts, we have integrated them into some our our processes to the point that they may be remotely supervising a CPR event or first aid/triage before we arrive in person.
https://www.ems1.com/communications-dispatch/articles/229258048-911-operators-We-are-first-responders/

[Zoe Girl]

Great article, I knew they did a lot but it was great to read through the full description of what a 911 operator works with.