How to help in the aftermath of a robbery or other traumatic experience
Adrenaline kicks into overdrive when a traumatic crime or other catastrophic event happens at work, whether you’re on the road or at your business. Most jewelers probably know what measures they will immediately need to take: call 9-1-1, attend to any physical injuries, assist police, and get in touch with your insurance agent or carrier.
But another important follow-up measure is sometimes overlooked: In the aftermath of these events, jewelers, their associates, and family members often have much more to deal with than physical injuries and lost inventory. The psychological injuries that may result from an armed robbery or some other catastrophic event may not be as immediately obvious as a shattered window or broken bone. Left unaddressed, though, the long-term effects and resulting damage from this kind of injury can be very serious, even debilitating.
The important first step is to recognize the psychological injury, says Joseph Utecht, master counselors manager at Ceridian LifeWorks, a global provider of crisis support services. “We’re all familiar with stories of the individual who walks away from an automobile accident saying he is fine, when in reality he has a bad concussion or a broken bone. In the immediate aftermath, the shock of the event and rush of adrenaline temporarily mask the injury. Psychological injury can be the same, but sometimes with a longer delay before the individual realizes he is struggling to cope with what had happened.”