Helper: Heal Yourself

Caring for Yourself After Caring for Others

Heal Yourself as a Helper

Helping others through tragedy is meaningful work—but it can also be emotionally demanding. Whether you are a TIP volunteer, first responder, professional, or compassionate bystander, being present for people in crisis can take a toll over time.

Caring for yourself is not optional. It is an essential part of being able to help others well.

This page is dedicated to supporting you as a helper.

The Impact of Helping

When we witness grief, shock, or loss—especially repeatedly—it can affect us in ways we don’t always expect. Helpers may experience:

  • Emotional exhaustion or numbness

  • Difficulty sleeping or concentrating

  • Irritability or heightened sensitivity

  • Feelings that linger long after a call ends

  • Questioning whether we did enough

These reactions are normal responses to exposure to trauma. They are not signs of weakness or failure.

Why Self-Care Matters

Helping others effectively requires presence, patience, and emotional steadiness. When helpers ignore their own needs, they may unintentionally:

  • Become detached or overwhelmed

  • Try to “fix” instead of support

  • Burn out or withdraw from helping altogether

Taking care of yourself allows you to:

  • Stay grounded and present

  • Maintain healthy boundaries

  • Continue helping in a sustainable way

  • Protect both yourself and the people you serve

Self-care is not selfish. It is responsible.

Before, During, and After Helping

Healing yourself as a helper happens at every stage:

Before

  • Arrive with a “blank mind,” open and without assumptions

  • Be aware of your own emotional state

  • Acknowledge any personal triggers or limits

During

  • Stay focused on the survivor’s needs, not your own discomfort

  • Monitor your reactions without judging them

  • Remember that your presence is enough

After

  • Take time to decompress and reflect

  • Talk with trusted peers or supervisors if needed

  • Notice what the experience stirred in you

  • Give yourself permission to rest

Listening to Your Own Signals

Your body and emotions often tell you when something needs attention. Pay notice if you find yourself:

  • Reliving parts of a call

  • Feeling unusually detached or overwhelmed

  • Avoiding calls or certain situations

  • Becoming impatient with survivors or colleagues

These signals are invitations to pause and care for yourself—not to push harder.

Healthy Ways to Care for Yourself

There is no single right way to heal, but supportive practices may include:

  • Talking with someone you trust

  • Spending time with people who ground you

  • Engaging in physical movement or time outdoors

  • Creating routines that restore balance

  • Seeking professional support when needed

Healing is personal. What matters is that you acknowledge your own needs and honor them.

A Culture of Care

At TIP, we believe that helpers deserve the same compassion we offer survivors. Taking care of yourself helps ensure that helping remains a source of meaning—not harm.

Asking for support, setting limits, and recognizing your own humanity are strengths, not shortcomings.

A Final Thought

You cannot pour from an empty cup.
By caring for yourself, you preserve your ability to care for others—with clarity, compassion, and integrity.

You matter, too.

Learning to care for yourself is an essential part of providing Emotional First Aid.