Chaplaincy in focus

Chaplaincy in focus Liam Johnston

Support through trauma and grief

Everyone who works on the UK rail network understands the ever-present risk of psychological trauma caused by either witnessing or being involved in the recovery process following a railway related fatality

Frontline rail staff and management can have a sense of fear and inadequacy when approaching this subject, or journeying with those who have had such traumatic experiences and who continue to live with the effects of trauma caused by such events.

The emotional and physical effects of trauma on those affected and the complex nature of individual responses can leave people feeling like it’s an area best left alone. The consequences of this often are that colleagues can feel isolated and alienated by their traumatic experiences.

This is where Railway Mission Chaplains can help; offering an independent, confidential and impartial support service to railway colleagues, regardless of position or background. We have a simple guide designed to help railway and British Transport Police colleagues following traumatic events.

Whilst there is nothing simple about trauma and the way it can wreak havoc on the lives of those affected, managers and colleagues can be informed and sensitive to the effects which will, in turn, help everyone to be more supportive and understanding.

However, railway fatalities are not the only causes of trauma; trauma can be caused by a range of events such as child abuse, rape, domestic violence, severe illness or injury, the death of a loved one, miscarriage, witnessing an act of violence or being attacked and more. Railway Mission chaplains have supported railway colleagues to cope with the effects of these traumatic events and will continue to support any railway colleagues who need care and compassion.

Another important area where chaplains bring extra value to the railway community is supporting colleagues after a death in service. Employers should take into account that everyone deals with death differently, and each employee’s needs will be different. These differences may be cultural, religious or born out of personal life experiences or personalities.

Some people might need support soon after the death of a colleague and also at some points in the future, for example on the anniversary of the death or if there is an inquest. Managers should be prepared to tailor their support to each individual’s needs.

Supporting colleagues after a death has a range of benefits. It helps people feel valued as individuals and maintains good working relationships between management and team members. But it also reduces their stress or anxiety which in turn helps avoid or reduce sick leave, keeping the workplace productive and stable.

Managers should communicate with employees and ask what support they feel they need, but it is also important to remember that many people feel selfconscious or embarrassed about needing support, and so managers should also let them know what support they will offer, but to allow the support to be as natural as possible. Chaplains find that it is in the relaxed and casual conversations that people open up their thoughts and feelings rather than in a forced and sterile meeting.

Chaplaincy is here to support managers through the process of grieving and supporting others in their team.

Some employees will have a network of family and friends supporting them through the process of grieving for a colleague. However, sometimes the death is of a family member. When a manager hears about the death of a close family member, it’s good to offer your condolences, and on the Railway Mission website, there is a guide to what you might say to someone who has lost someone close to them. It might be a challenge, but managers should assure them they do not need to come to work if they do not want to, and it should be made clear that work should come second. Managers should ask how they’d like to keep in touch and if appropriate check if there’s any important work they need someone else to take on.

If someone is upset they might not feel able to talk right away, or someone else might contact the company on their behalf. If this happens, it can help to follow up with an email, or call them a few days later. Talking in a calm, empathetic way can help team members feel supported, and help ease their anxiety about work.

Railway Mission chaplains are available to help managers and support them as they seek to support their own team members through a difficult time. Chaplains offer that independent, impartial and confidential support to rail industry colleagues. Despite the organisation being a Christian organisation, support is offered to everyone regardless of faith, background or position. From the north of Scotland to the south of England, from the Welsh coast to the Humber, railway chaplains are available to support the railway community through the most difficult of situations.

Liam Johnston is Executive Director of Railway Mission he can be reached via the contact information below