When we face challenges, we can find the leadership, skills, discipline, and resilience needed to overcome them. As we glance back at the past, we can see the many issues tugging at our hearts. Then we can feel the pains in our bodies from the battles we have endured. Finally, a light shines through as smiles begin to show through from the masks once hidden from view.
It has been a tough time. It continues to be a struggle, especially for our children. Each day brings us one day closer to solutions.
There is one thing I am optimistic about today. We can emerge stronger if we are wise in our planning. Many people count on your leadership! What we need to remember is not everyone is ready to move full steam ahead. In our plans, we have to make room for the social and emotional part.
During this time, many lost loved ones, dealt with illness themselves, or faced fears at levels we may not understand. What we do understand is the process through which individuals effectively apply knowledge, skills, attitudes, emotions, and empathy is through social-emotional learning. Along with this is maintaining positive relationships and decisions. We can begin with setting positive goals to achieve.
Keep in mind staff can experience secondary traumatic stress (STS). Depending on the type of organization or business you have, staff members can receive daily stress. Staff in school settings are definitely at risk of experiencing STS as children share in many different ways when they have stories to tell.
Solution Steps
- Provide staff with opportunities to discuss
- Have outlets for stress relief
- Have fun
- Talk about ways to manage emotions and stress
- Provide opportunities for training on social-emotional, trauma, mental health, and overall self-care
- Model how to support each other
- Set up checkups with staff. Check in on them as much as you can
Thank you for being part of the solution daily.