Unburdening Yourself with Megan Andrews (Masters Social Work & Critical Incident Stress Management)

On May 14th, 2022 Megan Andrews was faced with the unthinkable. A shooter drove to her community of Buffalo, NY and killed 10 Black people in a racist massacre at a supermarket in a predominantly black neighborhood.(Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/28/nyregion/buffalo-shooting-guilty-plea.html)What happened next for Megan was the culmination of 30+ years of experience as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Megan and her team were sent to the scene to provide immediate, on-site support for anyone in need in that moment. However, it was the support they provided months and years beyond the massacre that showed just how much the trauma of that day had permeated through the entire community. In very different ways.Kai and Wendy welcome Megan onto the podcast to discuss what trauma informed work is and the importance of bringing this kind of work to employees through their Employee Assistance Program. How do we begin to unburden ourselves from trauma?Megan Andrews BIO:Megan Andrews is the Director of Child & Family Services Employee Assistance Program, a leader in workplace health for over 40 years. She is an experienced social worker and clinician with a history of working in higher education, serving as an adjunct faculty at the University at Buffalo School of Social Work for 25 years. She presents locally and nationally on the topic of mental health in the workplace. At Child & Family Services, Megan is responsible for providing operational oversite for all EAP account and clinical services. She is focused on implementing effective clinical and professional EAP practices. Megan leads the account management and relationship development with member organizations and throughout the community Master of Social Work (M.S.W.), CISM and MSRA certified and DOT Substance Abuse Professional.