The Role of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP)Before and After a Traumatic Event

Presented by

May 8, 2013

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Incident or series of events that cause moderate to severe stress reactions.

Characterized by sense of horror, helplessness, serious injury or threat of serious injury or death.

Affects survivors, rescue workers, friends and relatives of victims who have been directly involved.

May affect witnesses who have seen the event first hand or on television.

Stress reactions immediately following an event are common. Duration is dependent upon a number of factors.

What is a Traumatic Event?

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Workplace Violence: Some Preventative

Measures

Know who is working for you and how your employees feel about their work environment. Do they feel safe? Do they feel like they are being harassed or

bullied? Do they believe the company takes their safety

seriously? Do they know the plan in the event a serious

incident occurs?

Climate Surveys

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Include behavioral health section in your employee health risk assessments.

Share results with your EAP and Occupational Health Provider so that they are aware the kind of problems your employees are having.

EAP can target training and other interventions to address these issues.

Health Risk Assessments

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Supervisors should be trained:

To recognize behavioral warning signals and to know what to do.

To manage/diffuse a volatile situation until assistance arrives.

In company policies and the importance of applying policies and the need for accountability.

In clear and effective documentation. In the company safety plan and procedures and kept

updated.

Supervisor Training

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Identifying Persons with Increased Risk of

Violent Behavior

Be Alert

Unusual behavior changes. Making false, malicious or unfounded statements

against co-workers, supervisors, or subordinates which tend to damage their reputations or undermine their authority.

Inappropriate remarks, delusional statements. Escalating anxiety and irritability. Verbal threats to inflict bodily harm, including vague

or veiled threats. Disorderly conduct, shouting, throwing or pushing

objects, punching walls, and slamming doors.

Signs for Potential Violence

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DE-ESCALATING THE SITUATION

Where an individual is exhibiting threatening

or intimidating behavior

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Managing a Behavioral Crisis in the Workplace

Do … Ask colleague to monitor or call for

assistance. Project calmness. Maintain a relaxed posture. Speak privately, if possible, but do not take

aggressive person to an isolated location. Encourage person to talk. Acknowledge person’s feelings. Offer choices. Avoid sudden moves. Be mindful of office layout/exit strategy.

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How Your Employee Assistance Program

Can Help

Management Referrals – 3 Types

Early Intervention Counseling

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Concerned Supervisor Referral

Management Referral*

Fitness-For-Duty Evaluation*

*Clinical Case Management

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Violence Assessment

Performed by Psychiatrist or Psychologist

No guarantees, but important to get professional opinion and any treatment/ employment recommendations

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History of prior violent behavior

Current symptoms, functioning, belief systems

Motivation Emotional control Probability of violence

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Conflict Resolution and Mediation Services

Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Counseling for Targets/Victims of Violence

HR and Supervisory Consultations

Training

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How The EAP Can Help

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Provide strong leadership.

Physical safety comes first.

Ask for support from higher management. Don’t “keep a stiff upper lip” or advise anybody

else to do so. Share information with your employees as soon

as you have it available.

When Tragedy Strikes

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Build on the strengths of the group.

Rely on your work group’s prior planning.

Be aware of the healing value of work.

Try to return to the daily routine as soon as possible. Encourage employees to talk about their experiences

(Follow-up with them in a week, 2 weeks).

Ask for support from your EAP.

When Tragedy Strikes

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Mental health professionals trained in trauma come on-site. Triage – Provide Psychological First Aid. Meet with victims after the event preferably as a group. Listen and encourage members of the group to talk about

their reactions when they feel ready. Validate the emotional reactions of the individuals. (Intense painful reactions are common responses to a

traumatic event). Explain that their symptoms may be normal. Encourage individuals to keep to their usual routines, find

ways to relax, face situations that remind them of the event, reach out to their support systems, talk about their experiences and feelings.

EAP Disaster/Trauma Response Team

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Advise survivors to anticipate symptoms that are uncomfortable or scary to them.

Refer individuals needing ongoing care to mental health professionals with experience in treating the needs of survivors of traumatic events.

Provide education to help people identify symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).

Offer clinical follow-up when appropriate.

EAP Disaster/Trauma Team Will …

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Cognitive – confusion, disorientation, memory loss, poor concentration, difficulty making decisions.

Emotional – shock, numbness, fear, sense of being overwhelmed, depression, intrusive images, volatile emotions, anger.

Physical – nausea, light headedness, dizziness, gastro-intestinal problems, rapid heart rate, headaches, sleep disturbances, grinding of teeth, jumpiness.

Behavioral – Irritability, withdrawal, apathy, suspicion, excessive

silence, arguments with loved ones, inappropriate humor, change in eating habits, change in sexual desire and functioning, increased smoking, substance abuse.

Victims’ Responses to a Traumatic Event

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Those with closer exposure to actual event Multiple stressors History of trauma Meaning of the event in relation to past stressors

(May activate unresolved fears or frightening memories)

Persons with chronic medical illness or psychological disorders.

Who is at Risk for Severe, Long Lasting Trauma

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Be aware of the warning signs of violence Don’t ignore behavioral changes Mentally prepare for “what if” situations Take all threats seriously Seek help for threatening domestic issues Foster respect in the workplace/model the behavior

you expect.

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Finally

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For confidential assistance, call New Avenues: 574-232-2131 or 800-731-6501www.NewAvenuesOnline.com