SELF CARE Supporting Ourselves, Supporting Our Students. Hector Ibarra, MSW Frances Valdez, MSW School Mental Health LAUSD

Compassion Fatigue as an Occupational Hazard The cumulative physical, emotional and psychological effect of exposure to stories or events characterized by fear, pain, and suffering when working in a helping capacity, combined with the strain and stress of everyday life.

Risk of Burnout  A state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress.  It occurs when you feel overwhelmed and unable to meet constant demands.  As the stress continues, you begin to lose the interest or motivation that led you to take on a certain role in the first place.

Signs and Symptoms  Decreased energy  Feeling that there is no time for one’s self  Disconnection from others  Social Withdrawal  Physical illness/absences from work  Cynicism, despair, and hopelessness  Increased/decreased sensitivity to violence, threat or fear  Memory impairment

Protective Factors (our hazmat suit) Professional consultation and support Self-care Training Sense of control Spirituality Exercise Humor Satisfying personal relationships Community involvement Organizational recognition and change Guiding professional ethical principles

6.6 Managing professional responsibilities to maintain motivation and commitment to all students by asking, How do I  Find support & develop strategies to balance professional responsibilities with my personal needs?  Manage stress & maintain a positive attitude with students & colleagues? Standard 6: Developing as a Professional Educator. Self Care: Our Ethical Responsibility  (a) Social workers should not allow their own personal problems, psychosocial distress, legal problems, substance abuse, or mental health difficulties to interfere with their professional judgment and performance or to jeopardize the best interests of people for whom they have a professional responsibility.  (b) Social workers whose personal problems, psychosocial distress, legal problems, substance abuse, or mental health difficulties interfere with their professional judgment and performance should immediately seek consultation and take appropriate remedial action by seeking professional help, making adjustments in workload, terminating practice, or taking any other steps necessary to protect clients and others. NASW Code of Ethics: 4.05 IMPAIRMENT

The ABCs of Self-Care  A wareness  B alance  C onnection  D ischarge what is harmful  E mbrace what is helpful 7

Professional Resilience Framework  Optimism  Mastery  Collaboration

Optimism Reframe the situation: Only this situation Positive past situation Temporary I have support Mentor’s example Imagine success Sometimes isn’t forever My effort matters

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe ( ) "I have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element. It is my personal approach that creates the climate. It is my daily mood that makes the weather. I possess tremendous power to make life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration. I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis is escalated or de-escalated, and a person is humanized or de-humanized. If we treat people as they are, we make them worse. If we treat people as they ought to be, we help them become what they are capable of becoming.”