Take care of yourself first. Then you can help others.

Listening

• Listen carefully.
• Acknowledge feelings as normal.
• Be sensitive to individual circumstances, and different points of view.
• Don't respond with "you're lucky it wasn't worse." Instead, say that you are sorry such an event has occurred and you want to understand and help.
• Don't take emotional responses, like anger, personally.
• Respect an individual's need for privacy. If someone doesn't want to talk about the incident or their feelings, don't insist.

• Organize support groups at work to help one another
• Offer a "listening ear" to someone who hasn't asked for help but may need it.
• Give encouragement, support and understanding with the on-the-job issues.
• Identify resources for addition help (EAP or human Resources Department).

• Offer to spend time with the traumatized person. Reassure them that they are safe now.
• Offer help with everyday tasks like cleaning, cooking, and caring for the family.
• Respect their need for privacy and time alone.
• Suggest available help (EAP, community resources, church groups, etc.)
• Keep communication open - be available and accessible.