What causes stress symptoms in relief workers?
• “Action-oriented” or “fixer” mentalities that rescue workers have Many rescue workers (especially those who volunteer) are the types of people that want to make a difference and solve problems. While this is the mentality necessary to do the job, it also increases the risk of guilt and frustration the person may have in not being able to “fix” a traumatic situation. • Identification with the victim The more a person puts himself in the shoes of the victim, or of the victim’s family, and the more the traumatic scenario reminds the rescue worker of something difficult he himself experienced the more this can also lead to increased stress symptoms. • Witnessing death and disaster This is especially difficult if the death was violent, the body was torn apart or if the victim died in the rescue workers arms. Seeing the death of fellow rescue workers or children is also extremely traumatic. • Lack of support and management Often rescue workers are sent into chaotic situations with minimal
