Friday, January 27, 2012

Figley Institute's Picks of the Week: Compassion Stress (2012-4)


The Importance of Self-Care Buddies

I am a strong advocate of the self-care planning process, which is outlined in the Standards of Self-Care developed by international experts in the topics of traumatic stress and compassion fatigue (Green Cross Academy of Traumatology). Self-Care strategies include regularly monitoring progress; and meeting regularly with your self-care buddy to discuss successes, challenges, and ways to overcome challenges. As a self-care buddy, you may learn about strategies which will help your buddy move past a challenge. A multi-pronged approach to good self-care might include information such as that provided in the section below:  The Importance of Counterbalancing Stress.

Buddy Check - How are You Doing?

It's almost the end of January, the first day of the month in which some of you started your New Year's Resolutions.  In my first blog of the year I offered a link to to Four Things to Strive for in 2012 (do you remember them?); and offered a fifth: Be gentle with yourself! 

In keeping with the concept of self-care buddies, I'm checking in with you. Are you satisfied with your progress? What are your successes and challenges?  Your feedback will inspire future blogs.  I'm serious! Write to me at krf@figleyinstitute.com with your stories.


The Importance of Counterbalancing Stress

Those of you who have followed my work know that I frequently quote Dr. John Wilson from the video "When Helping Hurts: Sustaining Trauma Workers".  Dr. Wilson states: "It's important to counterbalance the intensity of the work you do." At the Gift from Within website you will find this video and others, along with brief (FREE) video excerpts, such as "What is Compassion Fatigue?"  If you are interested in reading more, Gift from Within has posted a dozen FREE articles about Compassion Fatigue by leading experts in the field.

This morning I finished writing "Counterbalancing Stress", the first of my promised six entries for the Encyclopedia of Trauma, due to be published in September. In this entry I highlight four strategies for inducing the relaxation response:  breath work, meditation, progressive relaxation and visualization/guided imagery.  Regardless of whether stress is primary or secondary, these strategies are effective when practiced regularly.  You can read more about them in one of my favorite resources: The Relaxation and Stress Reduction Workbook. One or more of these strategies may fit nicely into your self-care plan or that of your buddy.


A Note of Gratitude

Expressing gratitude is an element of good self-care. Many of you signed up for Figley Institute's Compassion Fatigue Educator courseI'm delighted about this for two reasons: 1) most important, you understand that compassion stress is a real phenomena and are taking steps to address it at a personal level; and 2) some of you are instituting organizational change which translates to healthier work environments for those who work with people who are suffering. To you I express my deepest gratitude. 

PS  Sign up for the Compassion Fatigue Educator course by January 31 to receive this months' special rate.  Enter promo code govt.  


Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Figley Institute's Picks of the Week: Workplace Violence (2012-3)


This past Friday there was a critical incident at Mondo, one of our neighborhood restaurants (see Times-Picayune news report)  One employee shot and killed another.  As it turns out, the two had familial ties: the incident related to family issues.  As was later reported, a New Orleans Police Chaplain was brought in to attend to the needs of the restaurant employees. The question arises: Is there something that could have been done to prevent this tragedy?  While it is not my place to evaluate the Mondo critical incident, I feel a responsibility to promote education about Workplace Violence. The resources listed below are FREE.

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Workplace Violence Basics

Go to the OSHA website for a Workplace Violence Fact Sheet.

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In-Depth Information

For more in-depth information, the freely available USDA Handbook on Workplace Violence Prevention and Response includes these chapters

1. What is Workplace Violence?
2.
Responsibilities
3.
Prevention of Workplace Violence
4
. Identifying Potentially Violent Situations
5
. Responding to Violent Incidents
6. Disclosure of Information
7.
Resources

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OnLine Training - FREE

FEMA offers a one (1) hour online course "Workplace Violence Awareness Training 2011".



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Inspired by New Year focus on good self care Figley Institute is offering a  
Special rate of $129 for the month of January 
Compassion Fatigue Educator Certification Online 8 hour Course 
Developed and Delivered by the Drs. Figley.
Start your New Year off with a
 clear plan for personal and professional resilience!
Click here to register now! http://bit.ly/tWZdWh
Enter promotion code: govt

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Mission: To alleviate human suffering which results from traumatic life experiences by providing laypersons and professionals with high quality traumatologist training.