PHILIPSBURG – The Ministry of TEATT, Public Health Department, Representatives of the Business Community and the Association of Psychologists and Allied Professionals has come together to give support in the psychological first aid of companies and organizations in the connection with the passing of hurricanes Irma & Maria.
After a disaster there are specific risk groups that are more likely to develop (trauma related) psychological complaints such as, first responders and others whose jobs are directly linked to disaster management. The trauma may also affect workers who were in one way or the other affected by the storm and are called upon to return to work.
It is important that employers provide such workers with the possibility to get adequate support to be able to process these experiences or psychological consequences in a satisfactory manner. This approach will contribute to the wellbeing of staff in general and indirectly also to the wellbeing of the companies and organizations.
The Psychological support will be given based on a stepped care triage method;
Psychological first aid information session
Screening of employees and staff
Follow up of employees/staff at risk
Feedback and consultation session with management
The goal of this initiative is to begin the sessions as soon as possible as to mitigate any possible post traumatic effects of employees/citizens as they are critical to the overall road to recovery of Sint Maarten.
