Self-Care & Ethical Storytelling: A Guide for Service Providers

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In victim services, we often talk about putting on your own oxygen mask first. Yet during times of organizational uncertainty, this fundamental principle becomes both more crucial and more challenging to maintain.

Understanding the Weight We Carry

Crisis within our organizations adds another layer to the already complex work of supporting survivors. Service providers may experience:

• Increased anxiety about client care continuity
• Added stress from resource uncertainty
• Heightened secondary trauma responses
• Blurred boundaries between personal and professional concerns

“When we’re fighting for our organization’s existence while simultaneously supporting clients through trauma, the emotional toll compounds,” notes our Executive Director, Michelle Trent. “We must acknowledge this reality to address it effectively.”

Ethical Storytelling in Crisis

As service providers, we carry not only our own stories but also hold space for others’ experiences. During organizational uncertainty, we must be mindful of:

• Avoiding trauma dumping in professional spaces
• Maintaining client confidentiality while seeking support
• Sharing impact without exploiting stories
• Using trauma-informed language in all communications

Practical Self-Care Strategies for Uncertain Times

Self-care during organizational crisis requires intentional practice:

Daily Wellness Check-ins:

• Start each day with a brief mindfulness practice
• Schedule regular breaks, even (especially) during crisis
• Maintain regular eating and hydration schedules
• Create clear start and end times to your workday

Setting Healthy Boundaries:

• Limit after-hours communication
• Practice saying “no” to additional commitments
• Create transition rituals between work and home
• Establish clear communication channels for updates

Building Team Resilience Together

Collective care strengthens individual resilience:

• Regular team check-ins focused on wellbeing
• Peer support partnerships
• Celebration of small wins
• Open dialogue about challenges
• Shared problem-solving sessions
• Effective debriefing over maladaptive venting

Preventing Compassion Fatigue During Crisis

Warning signs to watch for:

• Increased irritability or cynicism
• Difficulty sleeping or disconnecting from work
• Feeling helpless or hopeless about outcomes
• Physical exhaustion or frequent illness

Prevention Strategies:

• Regular supervision and peer support
• Professional development opportunities
• Clear crisis communication protocols
• Work-life integration practices
• Access to mental health resources
• Practice ethical storytelling in team communications
• Use strength-based language when discussing challenges
• Focus on resilience rather than trauma details
• Share success stories that maintain dignity
• Implement trauma-informed communication protocols

Moving Forward with Intention

Remember:

• Your wellbeing matters
• Perfect self-care doesn’t exist
• Small steps make big differences
• Supporting others requires supporting yourself
• Honor stories without exploitation
• Choose empowerment over sensationalism
• Practice trauma-informed communication
• Model ethical storytelling in all spaces