What are the benefits of helping people hurt less (and feel better)?

There are a lot of  hurting people creating toxic, painful – and maybe even dangerous – environments.  This is why we say: hurting people hurt people.

Hurting people can create tragic, unexpected events, like a school or office shooting, suicide of a colleague, terrorist attack and so on.  These powerful events leave others feeling hurt, lost, confused, angry, overwhelmed and in crisis.

Hurting people spread hurt in more subtle ways too.  This may be in toxic work environments where office bullies and gossips damage esteem, the discontent slow momentum, the critics stifle creativity and so on.

Just as there are hurting people – there are helping people too! We teach helping people how to help those hurting.

We want to see hurting people hurt less…and feel better.  We believe the most efficient and effective way to help those hurting is building an informal, in-house peer support and/or crisis response program.  

Support programs demonstrate compassion and communicate value that results in more energized, innovative and productive team members.

The American Psychological Association (APA) released a study in 2012 stating: “Employees who feel valued are more likely to report better physical and mental health, as well as higher levels of engagement, satisfaction and motivation, compared to those who do not feel valued by their employers.”

In an interview with Annuals Review, Professor of Business Administration and Psychology, Dr. Jane Dutton, discovered compassion at work lowers rates of absenteeism and turnover, decreases healthcare costs and increases levels of engagement. Dr. Dutton also found compassion to “increase positive feelings for all” by fostering resiliency, building commitments, strengthening loyalty and attachments.

While other programs, such as wellness programs, focus on physical health, a peer support program focuses on the whole person. Peers are trained to address a myriad of concerns – such as work stress, relationship stress, grief/loss and more. Whether a colleague is in crisis or just having a difficult day, peers are trained to lean in, listen up and provide a compassionate presence that communicates value and worth to all involved.

Let’s talk training – email info@crisissupportsolutions.com.