Dealing With Grief
Our community and our workforce have experienced a great deal of tragedy in the last few weeks. Situations have occurred that have resulted in loss of life and are resulting in significant trauma to our Teck families. It's important to understand trauma and how to deal with it. We checked in with our onsite Mental Health Counsellor Jennifer Johnson for her thoughts.
Understanding Trauma and Its Effects: Trauma occurs when an individual experiences or witnesses distressing events that overwhelm their ability to cope, leaving lasting emotional, psychological, or physical effects. These events may include abuse, accidents, natural disasters, or prolonged exposure to stress, such as systemic discrimination or chronic instability. Trauma can affect people differently, but common symptoms include emotional responses like fear, anger, or sadness, cognitive issues such as intrusive memories and difficulty concentrating, physical symptoms like headaches and fatigue, and behavioral changes such as social withdrawal or avoidance. Trauma impacts not only the mind but also the body, often triggering a "fight, flight, or freeze" response, which can linger long after the traumatic event has passed.
Healthy Coping Skills for Healing : Healing from trauma requires time, support, and intentional strategies. Seeking professional help, such as trauma-focused therapy or support groups, is often a critical step. Grounding techniques, such as mindfulness or deep breathing, can help manage feelings of overwhelm, while self-care practices like exercise, journaling, and maintaining a regular sleep schedule support overall well-being. Connecting with trusted friends or family and limiting exposure to triggers can foster emotional safety. It's important to approach recovery with patience and self-compassion, recognizing that healing is not linear. With the right tools and support, individuals can reclaim a sense of control and move forward with resilience.
Mitigating the Risks and Building Resilience: While it’s not always possible to prevent traumatic events, fostering supportive environments and building resilience can reduce their impact. Teaching stress-management and emotional regulation skills from an early age helps individuals cope with challenges more effectively. Creating safe, inclusive spaces at home, work, and in the community minimizes the risk of exposure to harm. Open communication and access to resources, such as counseling or crisis intervention, ensure early support when difficulties arise. By promoting awareness and encouraging proactive measures, individuals and communities can work together to reduce the likelihood and severity of trauma.
There is always help available at Teck Trail Operations. If you or your family are looking for support during this time, please contact Darion Palm at 4-4149, Amber Locke at 4-4325, or Gord Menelaws at 250-512-9325 or gordon.menelaws@teck.com.