One organisation "caring for the carers" and helping people understand and deal with their emotions and general state of mind after a traumatic event has been Workplace Support.
Dunedin staff from the national independent employee-assistance provider travelled to Christchurch last Wednesday, the day after the devastating earthquake, to help emergency service staff and the general public manage their post-quake feelings.
Chief executive officer Wendy Lobb said she and two other staff were mobilised as further "frontline" staff to assist colleagues in Christchurch.
As emergency service staff were "doing their job" and were trained to monitor and act on signs of fatigue and vulnerability, much of their work was focused on other workplaces and citizens.
The team spent an afternoon at a factory site at which one-third of the 120 staff had returned to work but were feeling vulnerable.
"A lot of it was simply talking about common reactions to trauma," Mrs Lobb said.
"Just being able to assure them that feelings like anger and shock, helplessness and fear are all normal."
Workplace Support's phoneline had also been busy with people requiring help and counselling.
The Dunedin staff returned home last Saturday, but Christchurch and its people would require ongoing support over the coming months and even years.
The organisation was still helping people through the September quake when Tuesday's quake struck, she said.
They would return to Christchurch as, and when, required.
The organisation was also busy distributing pamphlets on how to cope and help others cope, particularly useful for people who had taken in family, friends or strangers after the quake.
A reflection room has also been set up at its Stuart St offices as a place for staff and the public to go, remember and reflect.
They can also sign a condolence book, which will be sent to the Christchurch City Council.
"We are very, very aware that for our team, and particularly our Canterbury team, they have weeks, months, if not the next year to two years, dealing with the ripple of this."
Workplace Support can be contacted in Dunedin on 0800 333-200 or in Christchurch on 0800 443-445.
HOW TO HELP
Coping, and helping others cope, with trauma:
• Normal reactions include: Shock, fear, anger, helplessness, sadness, and shame.
• Effects on behaviour: Tension, sleep disturbances, dreams and nightmares, fearfulness, intrusive memories and feelings, irritability, depression, social withdrawal, physical sensations, delaying of these effects.
How to help yourself:
• Try to rest.
• Contact friends and have someone stay with you for at least a few hours a day.
• Maintain as normal a schedule as possible.
• Recurring thoughts, dreams or flashbacks are normal.
• Eat well-balanced and regular meals.
• Fight against boredom.
• Express your feelings as they arise.
• If the feelings become prolonged or intense, seek help from a counsellor, chaplain or staff supporter.
How to help others:
• Listen carefully; spend time with the traumatised person.
• Offer to help even if they have not asked for it, and reassure them they are safe.
• Don't take their anger or other feelings personally.
• Don't tell them they are "lucky it wasn't worse"; traumatised people are not consoled by such statements.
• Tell them instead that you are sorry such an event happened and that you want to understand and assist them.
Source: Workplace Support
