By Donna Langston
MEC Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Chairperson
When tragedies happen in the workplace…
No one really knows how he or she will react when something tragic and
unexpected shatters the safety of our workplace whether this is on the
aircraft or on layover. All those things we have counted on without
thinking are suddenly open to question, and even the routine events
can seem, at least for a while, menacing, threatening, or
unpredictable while we try to work through what has happened, how it
occurred, and what we can do about it.
Our first reactions are usually shock and disbelief, followed very
quickly by a roller coaster of emotions. We may react at one moment
with very intense anger, grief, or sadness, so strongly that we feel
it is almost out of control, the next minute we are back together and
holding strong only to “lose it” again later.
That back and forth experience usually starts to settle down as the
days pass and as events become clearer, but does not entirely stop or
go away. You can expect every now and again to experience the grip of
another moment of intense emotional reaction, especially when
circumstances you were not expecting trigger feelings similar to those
you have felt at the time of the tragedy. The intensity of each bout
should lessen as time goes on. The time those feelings take to pass
will shorten, and the time between those reactions will start to get
longer as the days and weeks go by.
Working it through…
Working through a traumatic event will take time, and you will need to
face some changes as you go along. But the most important thing to
remember is that you are going through the event with others. AFA is
more than your labor union. We are a closely united association of
fellow safety professionals who share each day a commitment to our
flying partners and our passengers. Every member of AFA stands with
you and by you as you work toward recovery. No matter how difficult it
may seem, you can come through even stronger than before. Each
person’s support and contribution will be important.
Some thoughts to consider…
There is not a magic formula or simple answer to working through, or
helping others work through, a traumatic event. The following
suggestions are just ideas and approaches that have been helpful to
others and are simply a starting place for healing.
There are no set rules and no two people reacting to an event will
necessarily share the same response. The range of normal responses is
extremely broad. It is the situation that is abnormal, not you or your
reactions to it.
Give yourself some extra space, especially the first few days and
perhaps weeks after the event. Personal impact will come and go so
allow yourself the time and space to react.
Be sensitive to those around you. Many people tend to turn inward when
processing major life disruptions while others feel compelled to talk.
Being aware of those around you will contribute to getting through the
trauma.
Talk when you need to and listen when you can. It is really basic in
the long run. Improvement comes one day at a time and one person to
another.
You do not have to talk when you do not need to talk. It is important
not to run way from your reactions, but it is just as important to let
yourself have some distance from the event and your reactions to it.
Many people will have comments, questions, and suggestions. Some
statements will be welcome and others may seem intrusive, clumsy, or
insensitive. It is perfectly acceptable to say, “I’d rather talk about
something else”.
Allow yourself extra time and extra help until you have readjusted. It
is difficult to let others help us, but helping is healing for
everyone. Also, if you are offering help to someone, specifically
suggest how you want to help, bring dinner over or pick up his or her
mail.
If it works for you, pass it on. People and the groups they live and
work with can and do become stronger when they work through difficult
things together. Terrible events appear at first as overwhelming
threats, but there is real strength in getting through them intact and
together.
Just remember…
We need to be reminded why we chose the work we do, that of a safety
professional, and that is precisely the job we will continue to do.
AFA and the Employee Assistance Program continue to respond to their
flying partners whenever needed. So remember, unity is more than a
slogan for strikes and negotiations; it is the connection that holds
us together through the best and worst of times. Reach out to one
another and never forget that you are not alone.
We all have different ways of dealing with things, and what may be
right for one may not work for another. The EAP goal is to ensure that
we have made every effort to support you and your own way of coping at
each point along the way. When you need assistance, or have a question
about what help might be available, contact your local EAP
representative or the International AFA EAP office in Washington
(800-424-2406). |