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How Does secondary traumatic stress Affect Organizational Health?

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Between 40% and 85% of “helping professionals” develop secondary traumatic stress, empathic strain and/or high rates of traumatic symptoms (Mathieu, 2012).

Stress has an enormous impact on the health of an organization, and when the added element of secondary and/or direct trauma exposure is present, balancing workplace wellness becomes far more complicated, and we would argue, even more critical.

Why Does It Matter?

A secondary traumatic stress-informed orga­nization recognizes these challenges and proactively addresses the impact of STS through policies, procedures, practices, and programs.

Organizations’ leadership have the ethical responsibility to create supportive work environments and resources to combat this. Sound organizational interventions, policies and sustainability processes ensure wellness of an organization as a whole, thus enabling the provision of strong and effective services to our communities.

Research consistently demonstrates a return of $2.00 to $5.00 for every dollar invested in comprehensive population based wellness programs. (Tend, 2018) 

Strategies to Promote Organizational Well-being

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Adapted from: The UC San Francisco Trauma Recovery Center Model: Removing Barriers to Care and Transforming Services for Survivors of Violent Crime. Edited by Stacey Wiggall, LCSW & Alicia Boccellari, Ph.D