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- Click “Save,” then select the location and name for the file on your computer
or 
lines to the right of the URL bar at the top of your browser
It’s crucial to identify warning signs and take action early.
Ignored stress responses can become more chronic reactions that may lead to potentially destructive and unhealthy coping, and more severe mental health symptoms. Below are some suggestions for corrective action when symptoms of post traumatic stress or other mental illness first starts to manifest:
Self-Care
One way to appropriately manage stress and the early changes that may occur in thought, emotion, or behavior, is self-care. Successful self-care is built on planning strategies that bring relief and counteract any negative responses one may be experiencing. Preventing and reducing stress is a critical element of effective stress management. Consider reviewing the Wellness section of this toolkit for important elements to include in a stress management or self-care plan.
Self-Compassion
Having self-compassion is no different than having compassion for others. However, the idea of offering care and compassion to someone else seems to be far easier for most people. If someone struggling with stress and trauma can recognize the early warning signs, they can take action and help themselves, just as they would offer help to someone else they recognize may be in need. This means offering understanding and kindness to themselves, rather than judging or being self-critical.
Departmental Support
One strategy for leaders is to develop a proactive stress management plan that focuses not only on the individual employee but the whole organization. An effective public safety supervisor is familiar with the many facets of work-related stress, the reactions or symptoms that can come from it, and takes a range of steps to integrate stress management strategies into the workplace. Supervisors within the agency must assume shared responsibility for promoting a positive and healthy work environment, and not rely exclusively on their employees to initiate their own self-care practices.
Social Support
Withdrawal from family, friends, and coworkers is one warning sign that can be spotted early. The individual may not want to burden others, believe that other people will not understand, that they are the only one feeling the way that they do, or have a sense of shame for the way they are feeling. While it’s important to respect boundaries, comfort and support can help. Face-to-face support from others can be an easy yet powerful way to intervene early. This can be done by simply spending time together, being willing to listen when they want to talk, and doing “normal” activities such as a favorite hobby. Encourage them to plan regular activities, such as a lunch date with friends and family.
Be a Good Listener
While you should never push a person to talk, if they do choose to share, listen without expectations or judgments. Show that you are interested in what they have to say and that you care. Do not necessarily worry about giving advice. Many times they may want to “vent” or simply express out loud some of what may be happening to them. They are not necessarily looking for someone to “fix” the problem.
Support Treatment
Even though support of family, friends, and peers in the workplace is important, that may not always be enough. Frame the idea of counseling in a positive, practical light: Treatment is a way to learn new skills that can be used to handle a wide variety of challenges. Emphasize the benefits.