www.headington-institute.org > Programs > Online Training > Online Training Program

HOME

WHO we are

WHAT we do

resources ONLINE

ways to HELP

read our BLOG

		Online Training Courses FAQ

Frequently asked questions: Headington Institute’s interactive online courses for humanitarian workers

COPING WITH TRAUMATIC STRESS

Below you’ll find answers to the following questions:

1. What is this course about?
This course is designed to help humanitarian workers understand and cope better with traumatic stress. The course can help you:

Learn about the nature of traumatic stress.
Understand the three different types of traumatic stress associated with your work.
Recognize the signs of stress and burnout.
Identify self-care techniques that can help you alleviate stress reactions

2. Who produced this course?
The course was written by staff of the Headington Institute. The mission of the Headington Institute is to provide psychological and spiritual support to humanitarian workers worldwide (www.headington-institute.org). LINGOS (Learning for International NGOs) and CARE-USA collaborated on the design, distribution, and translation of this course.

3. Who should take this course?
This course is suitable for any humanitarian worker, from a disaster-relief expert to an accountant. It is especially pertinent for humanitarian workers who:

Work in dangerous or stressful environments
Are frequently exposed to distressing stories or situations
Travel frequently
Consider their jobs stressful

4. How can I access this course?
The course can be accessed by visiting the Headington Institute website (www.headington-institute.org), LINGOS website (www.lingos.org) or CARE’s website (www.care.org).

5. How much time does it take to complete the course?
The course takes approximately 45 minutes to an hour to read through. If learners complete the “questions for reflection” sections the course will take longer to complete.

6. How much does this course cost?
This course is free. The Headington Institute is committed to disseminating information on understanding and coping with traumatic stress to humanitarian workers worldwide, especially to those working in under-resourced areas.

7. Is this course available in other languages?
CARE-USA has undertaken to translate this course into the following languages: French, Spanish, Arabic and Portuguese. Additional translations are being considered.

8. What are the copyright restrictions? Can I pass this course onto other agencies or people that I know?
The course is copyrighted by the Headington Institute. You may disseminate and distribute the course to other humanitarian workers and agencies, as long as you and they do not profit, and the Headington Institute is properly acknowledged as the source. Agencies may also host this course on their own learning management systems at no charge.

9. How can I add this course to my agencies Learning Management System (LMS)?
Please contact Dan Sherman (LINGOS technical support) at dls@ngoaccess.com.

10. Am I allowed to modify this course to suit my agency’s particular needs?
No. For a number of reasons, including liability, you are not permitted to modify any part of this course.

11. I’m a manager or work in human resources, how can I raise awareness about this course in my organization?
Here are some ways you could raise awareness about this course within your organization:

Introduce the course at a staff meeting and provide people with access instructions.
Announce the course in your organization’s newsletter.
Post an announcement and description of the course on your organization’s public or internal website.
Host the course on your organization’s own website. If you have a comprehensive learning management system in place this will allow you to track how many staff members complete the course.
Include a CD-ROM of this course in your orientation folder for all new hires.

12. I’m a manager or work in human resources, how can I follow up with staff after they have taken this course?
Here are some ideas for follow-up after staff members have taken this course:

Include your own personal feedback form with the course CD and encourage staff to complete the feedback form and return it to you. Among other things, this feedback form could ask staff about their reactions to the course and poll topics for future training.
Host a brown-bag lunch meeting to discuss staff member’s thoughts and reactions in response to the course. Below are a couple of example questions that could used to spark follow-up discussion:
- Was there any part of the course you were particularly interested in?
- What were a couple of your key learning points?
- What did this course make you think about in terms of your self-care routines and practices?
- Do you intend to change any of your self-care practices? Do you have any self-care goals you’re willing to share?
- Was there any topic in the course you would like more information on?
Contact the Headington Institute about having the monthly series Peace by Piece emailed to staff. Peace by Piece is a 24 installment stress management series written specifically for humanitarian workers. Monthly topical emails prompt staff to think about different aspects of self-care and set self-care goals.

13. How should I cite this course?
The appropriate citation for this course is as follows:
McKay, L. (2007). Coping with Traumatic Stress. E-learning course published by the Headington Institute. Available online at www.headington-institute.org.

14. I still have questions, who should I contact?
If you have further questions or comments about this course please contact the Headington Institute on info@headington-institute.org.