ADDRESSING TRAUMA IN THE WORKPLACE

I. Introduction

Being a victim of crime or violence, being involved in a disaster of some kind,

witnessing a horrific incident and being abused are all examples of situations that
can lead to a traumatic reaction. Such situations can be devastating for the
individual(s) concerned and for the people connected with them. Like loss and
grief, trauma can both arise within the workplace and can be brought in by
employees who, of course, cannot simply turn off their feelings when they arrive
at their place of work each day. A traumatized person can encounter danger at
work in two senses: a work setting not attuned to their needs may make the
situation worse for that person; and he or she may pose a threat to others
because of their unsettled state of mind and emotional turmoil. It can therefore be
a very risky strategy all round to neglect the significance of trauma in the
workplace.

Police men and women make our communities stronger and safer every day.
In doing so, they see daily conflicts, incidents, accidents and violence. This
stress and pressure add up. Trauma can begin to impact the health and lives of
law enforcement officers. However, this trauma and its effects are highly
treatable.

II. Rationale

Employers cannot guarantee that employees will never be exposed to trauma

in the workplace. However, they can act to help prevent the most debilitating
effects of exposure to trauma by adequately preparing employees. Preparation
includes both the ability to respond in the moment and access to the necessary
coping strategies and social support after the incident.
 Trauma is real, and so is treatment. Several forms of therapy are effective
methods for treating trauma. These therapy methods just have to be made
standard and accessible. The shame and stigma surrounding getting help needs
to be removed. Police feel like they need to be superheroes. Or they may worry
about their job security if they speak up and advocate for their own and others’
mental health. However, the only way to manage trauma and its effects is to treat
it.

III. General Objectives

a. Recognize the direct and indirect psychological risks faced by police
officers and staff.
b. Identify and select the best approach for reducing the risk and
mitigating any impact.
c. Establish processes for monitoring the impact of the exposure and
evaluate the effectiveness of any occupational health and human
resource interventions.
d. Introduce trauma and vicarious trauma

IV. Target Participants

 National Police Force in the Philippines

V. Duration
 Five (5) days
 Module 1

Depositing Self-Awareness

Background

When our systems are stressed and overworked, our ability to problem solve,
make rational decisions, and process information decreases, leading to taking chances
one might not otherwise do.

As you develop Self-Awareness, you are able to make changes in the thoughts
and interpretations you make in your mind. This allows you to change your emotions.
Self-Awareness is one of the attributes of Emotional Intelligence and an important factor
in achieving success. Having Self-Awareness allows you to see where your thoughts
and emotions are taking you.

Objectives

 To understand one’s emotional patterns

 To reflect on one’s strengths and weaknesses
 To learn how to accept opinions and feedbacks from others.

Activities

 Lecture on the following:

o Emotional Intelligence
o Recognizing Basic Emotions
o Human Emotional Needs
 Group Activities:
o Lights! Camera! Action!
 o My Identity
Reflection

 Discuss their thoughts how it is applied on their premise of emotions.

 Module 2
Investing Emotions

Background

Traumatic and critical incidents in the workplace can include events such as
suicide, sudden death, robbery, actual and threatened sexual or physical violence,
harassment, bullying, serious accidents, fire, bombings, shootings, murder, industrial or
natural disasters, extreme isolation, involvement or exposure to warfare, as well as
organizational changes such as restructuring and redundancy.

During such incidents, an individual is confronted with an extreme situation that

presents a direct or perceived threat to their life, safety or wellbeing. The stress, fear,
anxiety or shock which is experienced can potentially overwhelm an individual’s ability
to cope, leading to physical, emotional or psychological harm and disruptive functioning.
Trauma can be momentary or experienced over a prolonged or short period of time. It’s
also important to consider that individuals directly or indirectly involved in a traumatic or
critical incident can be impacted by these events.

An important strategy for success is to develop an understanding of the way that

our attitudes and thoughts influence – for better or for worse – our feelings and
behavior. When Police Officers learn to recognize the negative and irrational attitudes
that lead to self-defeating behaviors, they can change them to more positive and
rational attitudes through positive self-talk. Along with their rapidly changing work,
bodies, minds, and emotions, Police Officers deal with stress due to demand of work,
superiors, ever changing crimes in the country, family, money and extracurricular
activities. Noting the range of stressors acting upon them, it is important to let them
know how to manage stress in healthy ways. Teaching stress relief skills can help them
avoid conflicts with others, self-harming behaviors, and violence.

Objectives

 To implement positive thinking

 To learn how to manage one’s own emotions
 To learn how to handle stress
Activities

 Lecture on the following:

o The Power of Positive Self-Talk
o Guides to Self-Management and Self-Motivation
o Negative and Positive Emotions
o Managing One’s Negative Emotions
o Stress Management
o Relaxation Techniques
 Group Activity:
o Stress Balloon

Reflection

 Learn to relive stress that they can try

 Identify stressors in their own lives
 Module 3

Development and Maintenance

Background

A social relationship is an interaction of two or more people, also a social group.

They are believed to shape the behavior of individuals in different ways. When building
social relationships one must have the social interaction skills. These are behavior that
help one be able to stick to the social relationship because they keep you out of trouble
and conflicts. Conflict, on the other hand, is a part of our daily life. It may arise anytime,
in any place and to anyone. Conflicts can emerge simply because of difference in
perspectives which is often influenced by different backgrounds. It may strengthen or
weaken the relationship though it will depend largely on how both parties deal with it.
Responses to conflict situations vary, however, with art of conflict management; it can
be the key for personal and professional growth.

Objectives

 To help Police Officers create valuable relationships for positive

growth and maturity.
 To help Police Officers develop critical conflict resolution skills
helpful in maintaining critical relationships.
 To develop the habit of effective negotiation in all aspects of life.

Activities

 Lecture on the following:

o Conflict Resolution and Management
o Steps to Effective Empathy
 Activities:
o Who is Right? Who is Wrong?
o Relationship Map

Reflection

 Life skills learned from the activities and its significance.

 Module 4
Building a Trauma Informed Organization

Background

Police inhabit a world in which their safety and success requires them to be
constantly alert and attentive to the smallest indication of a hazardous situation or an
important piece of evidence. These demands can lead to a chronic state of
hyperarousal. The pressure to remain constantly vigilant and engaged, while
challenging and exciting, can lead to psychological exhaustion and burnout if not
managed correctly.

This module acknowledges these changes and examines some of the

approaches, processes and mechanisms which can help police officers and staff retain
their job satisfaction while ensuring that they are adequately protected and supported in
maintaining their physical, psychological and social wellbeing.

Objectives

 Define PTSD, vicarious trauma and traumatization, secondary

traumatic stress, compassion fatigue, burnout, resilience, and
vicarious resilience;
 Discuss how working with a traumatized population affects a police
officer;
 Discuss the impact of vicarious trauma on organizations; and
 Identify particular strategies that enhance both personal and
professional resilience

Activities

 Lecture on the following:

o PTSD
o Vicarious trauma
o Secondary traumatic stress
o Compassion fatigue
 o Burnout
o Self-Care
o Resilience
o Vicarious resilience

 Activities:
o What is your self-care?

o I’ve got your back

Reflection

 Trauma-Informed Policing can make an officer’s job much easier.