Essentials
First of all, it is very important that community leaders and the public at large understand more completely the extent to which many direct service providers are exposed to mass casualties from the opioid-overdose epidemic.
- Direct Service Providers who have experienced multiple losses among their clients, friends, colleagues, families, or communities may benefit from principles and practices related to working in disaster response (for example, see these tips on preventing and managing stress and coping with retraumatization).
- Read an article or two about multiple losses and cumulative grief — and attend to the basics of coping with grief and loss.
- Learn more about the pain of grief and the emotions of grief.
- Engage in self-help activities that have short-term and long-term benefits, such as those recommended by Riverside Trauma Center and the National Center for PTSD.
- Make meaningful connections with colleagues and others who are able to share in a safe, mutually helpful way about how fatalities have affected you and them.
- Practice self-compassion.
- Seek professional assistance and support, including clinical supervision if it is available to you.