PTSD Healers Get Help to Heal Themselves

On a personal note speaking as one with over 30 years of doing it. It does hurt. It does drain my soul. It makes me cry. Causes nightmares and many sleepless nights. You know what though, what I get back in return when their lives turn around makes it all worth it.

I also have good support to do it. I know I can pick up the phone anytime I need to and be able to vent when things get too hard. The hardest thing was admitting I needed help since I am the "helper" of these magnificent veterans and families. Facing that made it easier to explain to them why it was more than ok for them to need help too.

Put it this way. Do you think less of them because they need help? Then why do you expect to not need it for yourself?

Richmond workshop to assist ‘forgotten heroes’ who suffer after helping PTSD victims
Richmond Standard
by Mike Aldax
September 29, 2014

The forgotten heroes who tirelessly work with the victims of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) will have an opportunity to receive help for their own stress through a workshop in Richmond next month.

Healers 4 Helpers, a collaboration between nonprofits Perfectly Babies foundation and Sister 4 Sister, will hold two classes Nov. 21 -22 at the Barrett Avenue Christian Church at 3701 Barrett Ave.

The first day’s workshop helps helpers identify and reduce symptoms of compassion fatigue, while the second day’s workshop offers an in-depth look at assessing and treating secondary traumatic stress reaction.
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