Staff Care Needs, Resources, Options IASC MHPSS Meeting November 2011

What are causes of staff stress and burnout? OR Why do we need to do staff care? “Stress and staff support strategies for international aid work” Curling and Simmons. Intervention 2010, Volume 8, Number 2

Results from 3,368 surveys Give list of possible causes of stress –Ask respondents to choose relevant issues Resulting Sources of stress: –Workload –Ability to achieve work goals and objectives –Working hours –Status of employment contract –Feeling undervalued and/or unable to contribute to decision making

Interventions reviewed Professional staff counselor –Available periodically on location but also remotely –Knows the culture of the institution Peer Support network –Trained and supervised by organization –Rapid response –Needs supervision –Sometimes problems with mission creep

“Interventions to reduce psychosocial disturbance following humanitarian relief efforts involving natural disasters: And integrative review,” D.S. Walsh. International Journal of Nursing Practice 2009, volume 15.

10 reports, 9 different countries, 921 respondents, professional and non-professional relief workers Causes of stress –Stress of event –Poor leadership, team cooperation –Concerns about institutional back up, lack of capacity –Communication, on site as well as with HQ

Interventions reviewed Debriefing –Preventative measures –Voluntary session –Social support Team building –Communication –Staff relationships –Coordination of staff –Efficient sequencing of care Preparation –Formal education –Leadership training –Institutional support

Feedback from field- staff needs and sources of stress Lack of organizational support or understanding. Concern for job security Trainings too specific – staff lack base of information University training too theoretical – insufficient practical experience Lack of skills to deal with confrontational or emotional situations Need for ongoing supervision

Feedback from field continued Lack of opportunity to process experiences, especially when staff were also victims of disaster Ongoing stress problems Lack of skill based tools to deal with –Conflict –Children’s needs –Collaboration with other organizations –Religious leaders and unions

Existing Resources People in Aid – Code of Good Practice in management and support of aid personnel Antares Foundation –Managing stress in humanitarian workers

Guidelines cover all of the needs that are brought up in studies done (2010, 2009, 2011) after the guidelines are written (2003, 2006) Why are guidelines not preventing or reducing the causes of stress in workers?

Codes of Good Practice Security Stress Management Team Leadership Development Conflict Resolution Skills Training in Professional Job Skills Policy and Organizational Preparation

Policy and Organizational Preparation Defined goals and direction Policies in place Screening and Assessing suitability Preparation for and support during deployment Health, safety and security Communication and leadership Monitoring Post assignment support

Security Concerns Organizational preparation Staff preparation and training Resources: –HPN Good Practice Review of Operational security management in violent environments –UN Security training and certification for staff

Stress Management Resources ICRC: managing stress in the field Tunnecliffe: Best Practices in Peer Support Davidson Center for the Professions Headington Institute

Training/Skill Development REPSSI psychosocial skills trainings Headington online training programs Action for the Rights of Children Netherlands Center for Social Development Humanresources.about.com

Team Leadership Development

Conflict Resolution Skills for Staff Netherlands Center for Social Development Conflict Resolution Network UNDP and Center for Conflict Resolution Skill development for Conflict Transformation about.com.humanresources