Counseling Services: Coping with War and Terrorism - Tips for
the Workplace
With the onset of war with Iraq and the ongoing threat of terrorist
attacks, our world has changed drastically, and focusing on "business
as usual" has become extremely difficult. But occupying our time
with the routine of work is a necessary step in coping with crisis.
Each person reacts differently in a crisis and a range of responses
are to be expected. These responses can appear immediately or sometimes
develop months later.
Signs of Emotional Impact
As the war and the terrorist threat continue, you may begin to
see evidence of the emotional impact on employees. This may play
out in their performance and productivity in the following ways:
- Working slowly
- Missing deadlines
- Absenteeism; calling in sick frequently
- Irritability and anger
- Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
- Appearing numb or emotionless
- Withdrawal from work activity
- Overworking
- Forgetting directives, procedures and requests
- Difficulty with work transitions or changes in routines
What Employers Can Do
To help your employees work through the emotional tolls of this
crisis and reduce the impact on your organization's productivity,
the National Mental Health Association (NMHA) recommends the following
actions:
- Educate your supervisors and managers. Inform
all supervisors and human resources professionals about the signs
of emotional distress; all policy changes and actions being taken
in response to the crisis; and available counseling resources
so they, in turn, can inform their staffs. Direct them to encourage
employees to seek counseling when necessary. Have them tell employees
that your doors are open to them during this and other times of
crisis. Designate a human resources or other manager as a contact
person.
- Provide educational resources. Your employee
assistance program (EAP), human resources unit and/or local mental
health center may have educational materials and information on
covered treatment resources. Make sure to have up-to-date provider
listings, as well as information about available benefits and
the processes for accessing care. Tell employees whom they should
contact if they have trouble accessing services or if they are
unhappy with the quality of care they receive.
- Facilitate communication among employees.
Support from their colleagues can help people work through difficulties.
Consider allowing people to break from work periodically to talk.
Provide a comfortable environment where they can gather.
- Consider bringing a professional counselor/facilitator
on-site. A professional can conduct group meetings and
provide individual counseling. This will help you identify and
get help to those who need it most. This will help alleviate their
immediate anxiety and reduce their need for services later on.
- Consider temporary changes in your leave and travel
policies. Allow people to take time off beyond the norm
to donate blood, take part in community activities and to address
personal needs. With regard to travel, reassure employees that
you have their safety in mind, first and foremost. Tell them about
any short-term travel policy changes, and let them know that policies
will be revised as required by future events.
- Promote tolerance. Warn employees that you
will not tolerate hostility directed at members of specific ethnic
or religious groups, in the workplace, among your customers or
in the community. Supervisors will challenge discriminatory remarks
or actions, or any form or harassment, and disciplinary action
will be taken.
- Organize community activities. Hold a blood
drive, collect donations for "care packages" or encourage writing
letters to people in the military. Show employees that your organization
is committed to helping those in the workplace, and to supporting
our service men and women.
- Plan for future emergencies. Create or review
your organization's emergency plan to address any situations that
might arise from the current crisis. Involve all levels of staff
in the planning. Remind employees of emergency procedures. Feeling
prepared will help ease their anxiety.
What Employees Can Do
- Know what to expect of yourself. You may not
be prepared for the intensity of your emotions or how quickly
your moods can change. If your feelings are too much to bear,
seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Mental health
problems - in general and in response to this crisis - are real,
diagnosable and treatable. Furthermore, mental health treatment
is very effective. People should never be embarrassed to seek
the help they need.
- Talk with your co-workers and listen patiently.
If you feel grief, anxiety or anger, you are not alone. Talk with
colleagues who are experiencing the same feelings. Be aware of
the special needs of people who have loved ones in the military
or living overseas. When listening, don't try to "fix it" or offer
false comfort, especially if somebody has lost a loved one. Instead,
offer a simple expression of sorrow and take time to listen. Discourage
damaging ways of coping, such as excessive drinking. Don't hesitate
to recommend professional help if needed.
- Accept that life will go on. Acknowledge that
everyday life will be subdued and, perhaps, different in some
way, depending on your particular situation, but there will be
continuity. Continuing everyday routines helps with healing.
- Take care of yourself. Eat well, get plenty
of rest and exercise, spend time with those closest to you, postpone
major life decisions and other significant stressors if you can,
and seek professional help when necessary.
- Take care of your children. You may be concerned
about the well being of your children. There are things you can
do to help them handle the effects of this crisis:
- Turn off the TV news when children are in the room.
- Let children express their feelings and ask questions.
- Share your own coping strategies with them.
- Maintain a family routine.
- Reassure children that they are safe.
The National Mental Health Association has resources to help you
and others cope with this crisis, as well as fact sheets on post-traumatic
stress, depression, anxiety, coping with loss and other topics.
Visit our website at www.nmha.org
or call our toll-free line at 800-969-NMHA.
For more information, contact your local Mental Health Association,
or the National Mental Health Association at 800-969-NMHA (6642)
or www.nmha.org.
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