Assignment:
Stress and Coping Strategies"There is a cost to caring." - Charles FigleyTrauma takes a toll on children, families, schools, and communities. Trauma can also take a toll on school professionals. Any educator who works directly with traumatized children and adolescents is vulnerable to the effects of trauma-referred to as compassion fatigue or secondary traumatic stress- being physically, mentally, or emotionally worn out, or feeling overwhelmed by students' traumas. The best way to deal with compassion fatigue is early recognition. - Child Trauma Tool Kit (p. 17)Supporting infant/toddler mental health requires careful attention to the strengths and challenges faced by individual children and their families.
As well, it is critical that professionals support and nurture themselves within their potentially psychologically demanding role. This self-care is particularly necessary when working with families who are suspected of engaging in child abuse or neglect.Imagine that your colleague, who you highly respect, has followed the law of mandated reporting and recently reported a suspected case of abuse and neglect to the proper authorities in your state. Consider the myriad stressors and related feelings she might be experiencing in issuing this report, and reflect on what you have learned.
Post a description of the unique stressors and related feelings your colleague may be experiencing in this situation, and advice you would give her related to practicing effective self-care.