When supporting someone with PTSD, it is important to consider your relationship with them (whether it is professional or personal), the limits of your knowledge, expertise, and your own self-care.
Co-workers
Even though we have strong friendships in the workplace and co-worker support is critical to everyone’s mental health, it is also important to recognise there are boundaries.
As a co-worker, you may see signs of distress in those you work with, have supportive conversations with them, and encourage them to seek professional help.
If you are concerned there may be a threat to the safety of the person (or others), you may need to seek advice from a supervisor or specialist in your organisation to arrange emergency support.
Supervisors
As a supervisor, the same things that apply to co-workers apply to you, but there may be other duty of care issues to consider.
You are responsible for ensuring there is a safe working environment and that your workers are fit for work. Your organisation may have a mental health policy in place to guide your actions, or you may be able to reach out to a mental health first aid officer
Make sure you are informed about what you can do to support any worker with a mental health condition, including someone with PTSD. If they are off work for treatment, their return to work will need to be carefully supported and as a supervisor, you can make a big difference to the outcome in these situations.
Family and friends
People try to ‘keep it together’ as much as they can at work, but it is often family members, partners and friends who see increased distress and changes in behaviour (such as substance abuse).
It can be really difficult supporting someone who is experiencing poor mental health or a mental health disorder. With PTSD, a person’s nervous system is ‘stuck’ in a state of constant alert, making them continually feel vulnerable and unsafe, or having to relive the traumatic experience over and over. This can lead to anger, irritability, depression, mistrust, and other PTSD symptoms that the person can’t simply choose to turn off.
When a person is not working while being treated for PTSD, it can mean you are spending a lot more time with them than you usually do, and you may need to ensure you are getting your own support to help you deal with the situation. PTSD isn’t easy to live with and it can take a heavy toll on relationships and family life.
‘Caring for the carers’ of those with a mental illness is very important. Mental health families and friends is a Tasmanian organisation that help you in your caring role.