Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Israel Journal of Health Policy Research 1/2016

Open Access 01-12-2016 | Commentary

Maintaining helper wellness and competence in a shared trauma reality

Author: James Halpern

Published in: Israel Journal of Health Policy Research | Issue 1/2016

Login to get access

Abstract

As shared trauma reality becomes more common in Israel and other countries, this commentary argues that we need more research to inform how to best assist mental health professionals who are both victims and helpers in the aftermath of traumatic events. Typical remedies for the occupational hazards of working with trauma survivors may not apply for those who are exposed to a prolonged terror threat. Research-informed self-care strategies need to be identified and practiced.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Peruginin I, Segal-Engelchin D, Isralowitz R, Reznik A. Shared war reality effects on the professional quality of life of mental health professionals. Israel J Health Policy Res. 2016;5:17. doi:10.1186/s13584-016-0075-6. Peruginin I, Segal-Engelchin D, Isralowitz R, Reznik A. Shared war reality effects on the professional quality of life of mental health professionals. Israel J Health Policy Res. 2016;5:17. doi:10.​1186/​s13584-016-0075-6.
2.
go back to reference Mathieu F. The compassion fatigue workbook: creative tools for transforming compassion fatigue and vicarious traumatization. New York: Routledge; 2012. Mathieu F. The compassion fatigue workbook: creative tools for transforming compassion fatigue and vicarious traumatization. New York: Routledge; 2012.
3.
go back to reference Bayer-Topilsky T, Itzhaky H, Dekel H, Mamor Y. Mental health and posttraumatic growth in civilians exposed to ongoing terror. J Loss Trauma. 2013;18:1–21.CrossRef Bayer-Topilsky T, Itzhaky H, Dekel H, Mamor Y. Mental health and posttraumatic growth in civilians exposed to ongoing terror. J Loss Trauma. 2013;18:1–21.CrossRef
4.
go back to reference Halpern J, Tramontin M. Disaster mental health: theory and practice. Belmont: Thomson Brooks/Cole; 2007. Halpern J, Tramontin M. Disaster mental health: theory and practice. Belmont: Thomson Brooks/Cole; 2007.
5.
go back to reference Besser A, Neria Y. When home isn’t a safe haven: insecure attachment orientations, perceived social support, and PTSD symptoms among Israeli evacuees under missile threat. Psychol Trauma Theory Res Pract Policy. 2012;4(1):34–46.CrossRef Besser A, Neria Y. When home isn’t a safe haven: insecure attachment orientations, perceived social support, and PTSD symptoms among Israeli evacuees under missile threat. Psychol Trauma Theory Res Pract Policy. 2012;4(1):34–46.CrossRef
6.
go back to reference Gil S, Weinberg M, Shamai M, Ron P, Harel H, Or-Chen K. Risk factors for DSM-5 Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms (PTSS) among Israeli civilians during the Israel-Hamas war. Psychol Trauma Theory Res Pract Policy. 2015;8(1):49–54.CrossRef Gil S, Weinberg M, Shamai M, Ron P, Harel H, Or-Chen K. Risk factors for DSM-5 Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms (PTSS) among Israeli civilians during the Israel-Hamas war. Psychol Trauma Theory Res Pract Policy. 2015;8(1):49–54.CrossRef
8.
go back to reference Dickstein BD, Schorr Y, Stein N, Krantz LH, Solomon Z, Litz B. Coping and the mental health outcomes among Israelis living with the chronic threat of terrorism. Psychol Trauma Theory Res Pract Policy. 2012;4(4):392–9.CrossRef Dickstein BD, Schorr Y, Stein N, Krantz LH, Solomon Z, Litz B. Coping and the mental health outcomes among Israelis living with the chronic threat of terrorism. Psychol Trauma Theory Res Pract Policy. 2012;4(4):392–9.CrossRef
9.
go back to reference Findley P, Halpern J, Rodriguez R, Vermeulen K. Psychological first aid: A tool for mitigating conflict in the Middle East. In R. Isralowitz & Findley, P. (Eds.) Mental Health and Addiction Care in the Middle East. New York: Springer; 2016. Findley P, Halpern J, Rodriguez R, Vermeulen K. Psychological first aid: A tool for mitigating conflict in the Middle East. In R. Isralowitz & Findley, P. (Eds.) Mental Health and Addiction Care in the Middle East. New York: Springer; 2016.
10.
go back to reference Cohen K, Collens P. the impact of trauma work on trauma workers: a metasynthesis on vicarious trauma and vicarious posttraumatic growth. Psychol Trauma Theory Res Pract Policy. 2012;5(6):570–80.CrossRef Cohen K, Collens P. the impact of trauma work on trauma workers: a metasynthesis on vicarious trauma and vicarious posttraumatic growth. Psychol Trauma Theory Res Pract Policy. 2012;5(6):570–80.CrossRef
11.
go back to reference Wise EH, Hersh MA, Gibson CM. Ethics, self-care and well-being for psychologists: reenvisioning the stress-distress continuum. Prof Psychol Res Pract. 2012;43(5):487–94.CrossRef Wise EH, Hersh MA, Gibson CM. Ethics, self-care and well-being for psychologists: reenvisioning the stress-distress continuum. Prof Psychol Res Pract. 2012;43(5):487–94.CrossRef
Metadata
Title
Maintaining helper wellness and competence in a shared trauma reality
Author
James Halpern
Publication date
01-12-2016
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Israel Journal of Health Policy Research / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 2045-4015
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13584-016-0102-7

Other articles of this Issue 1/2016

Israel Journal of Health Policy Research 1/2016 Go to the issue