If you look up the definition of the word “organisational” you will see descriptions such as, planning and preparation, structure and systems, working together, and culture. This is exactly what organisations need to focus on during a crisis response. Organisations may have a crisis management plan; they may categorise events as critical or crisis incidents or non-emergency and emergency.
Coronavirus is at the highest level of a crisis response that organisations will have experienced. At FD Consultants we specialise in supporting organisations when managing a crisis response. We have been supporting humanitarian aid workers deploy to share their expertise in managing pandemics and setting up large medical centres, frontline workers such as the police, ambulance services and NHS staff to help them maintain their resilience and manage their anxiety through this crisis, and we’ve been supporting mental health charities psychologically care for the wellbeing of their staff.
Globally we are all experiencing a crisis response. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) definition of trauma requires actual or threatened death experienced directly or witnessed. Whether we are directly exposed to trauma either through our work, such as frontline workers, or we have lost a loved one through Corvid-19, or whether we are indirectly impacted by the change in our living conditions and witnessing trauma through the media, we will all be impacted.
Trauma symptoms are at the extreme end of stress and anxiety symptoms. Traumatic events activate our survival response, which will trigger the emotional and survival parts of the brain. This can leave us feeling much more irrational, emotional and reactive.
Some NHS staff are choosing not to return home to their families, during this time, to protect them from contracting Coronavirus. As a nation we are becoming more and more physically disconnected from each other, although at the same time, there are many new connections being made remotely.
At FD Consultants we are a network of trauma specialist therapists. One thing we are aware of is that when individuals are dealing with a present trauma, historical unprocessed trauma can be triggered and brought up to the surface. Additionally, those with current and ongoing mental health issues may find their symptoms are exacerbated.
So how can organisations look after their staff well during this unprecedented time and activate their crisis response to cover all aspects of crisis management. Below we share some of FD Consultants learning and experiences and explore how our work has changed since supporting organisations through Coronavirus (Covid-19).
Supporting staff psychologically through a crisis response
- It is important for organisations to have a clear plan in how they are going to psychologically support staff through the Coronavirus (Corvid-19) period. It is unclear how long we will be in lockdown or if we will go through various phases of imposed restrictions. What specific services are going to be offered to support staff through this challenging time? Some organisations subscribe to an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), which can offer up to six sessions of counselling, and welfare and legal support. Additionally, organisations need to consider what specialist services will be included in this care plan for staff.
- At FD Consultants we have been in consultation with several organisations helping them create a wellbeing plan for staff. This plan includes our half day ‘Stress Management and Resilience Building workshop’, which enables a space for staff to come together and share their concerns, identify triggers and build on coping strategies, as well as learn new tools to manage stress and remain resilient.
- Additionally, we have been asked to setup supervision groups for teams, so they have a space to check-in every four to six weeks to share personal and organisational challenges and process any work-related issues.
- We have also developed a ‘crisis response – Covid-19’ half day workshop for senior management and leadership teams. To provide the crisis management team with the tools to feel confident when managing an organisational approach to support staff if an individual were to die of Covid-19.
- We have also been asked to provide trauma specialist counselling if a member of staff is directly impacted. Grief from someone dying of Coronavirus (Covid-19) not only results in those impacted having to deal with the grieving process, but also the traumatic details of the event, which can be regularly triggered by watching the media. We are also able to offer psychological processing groups if a team needs specific support at this time.
- Managers need to check-in with their team members individually and regularly. As managers get to know your staffs’ personal circumstances, for example, are they living alone or juggling home schooling with workload, are they living in a flat or a house, do they have access to outside space, do they feel supported by the people they live with, does anyone close to them have Coronavirus (Covid-19). All of these factors will add to their stress levels. How does the individual deal with change and uncertainty? What are their coping strategies at this time? At FD Consultants we are offering ‘Mental Health Awareness’ for managers during this time. We can offer this as one off appointments or a half day training course.
- Organisations may consider social networks as well as work-related networks. Some organisations have tea break check-in where work is not discussed, others have a quiz night, or specific support groups are setup i.e. for individuals living alone or for individuals managing home schooling.
- Organisations need to promote a culture of offering high quality best practice psychosocial care to their staff, and now is the time this is needed more than ever. Incorporating clear mental health practices and signposting to specialist services will challenge stigma and normalises mental health issues within the workplace. Implementing a peer support programme where staff are trained in psychological first aid and communicating what additional services are available for staff during the Coronavirus (Corvid-19) period is crucial.
- Supply guide sheets and information on how staff may be impacted psychologically, this can help to normalise individual’s reactions. At FD Consultants we have created several guide sheets that we would be happy to share with anyone who makes contact with us.
By increasing staffs’ resources will enable individuals to remain resilient through this challenging time. When we are highly stressed our immune system depletes, we want to do all we can to encourage individuals to remain healthy and resilient through this unprecedented time and give everyone the best chance they can to come out the other end well and healthy.
For organisations looking for employee psychological support, FD Consultants are the trauma specialists and well-being service who will best deliver a reliable, quick, and bespoke support system in the workplace. FD Consultant’s team of accredited specialists will offer ongoing support to help manage stress, prevent burnout and provide specialist trauma care where required, enabling your staff with the tools to cope, and recover more quickly.
