Workshops on Care for the Caretakers & Prevention of Secondary Traumatization: International Refugees and Mental Health Conference

These Workshops were offered to professionals and volunteers, who work with refugees in Greece. It was part of the second International Refugees and Mental Health Conference in Athens, Greece. This Conference focused on a holistic approach to trauma, stress and resettlement.

As working with (traumatized) refugees can be very demanding both emotionally and physically, the goals of these Workshops were for the participants to reflect on their own self-care, to learn about prevention of secondary traumatization and to learn through different activities and techniques how to take care of themselves. Because they can only take good care of others, if they are first able to take good care of themselves. Furthermore, all exercises and activities offered during these Workshops, could also be used directly with the refugee children, youngsters and adults they are working with themselves.

Anne provided different practical, creative, imagination-, reorientation- and breathing exercises and techniques to stabilize the participants, rest, focus on their ressources and strengthen their resilience. There was room for reflection, inspiration, self-care, resilience and re-charging of energy. Anne also offered psycho-education on secondary traumatization.