Employee Psychology Affected by the Earthquake

Employee Psychology Following the Earthquake After the earthquake disaster, companies need expert support to help their employees recover mentally. Psychologist Dr. Gizem Sürenkök provided information about what needs to be done for workers' psychological well-being. Our country, shaken by the major earthquake disaster, continues efforts to heal its wounds. The psychological effects of the earthquake caused severe trauma across the entire country through television and social media, particularly affecting those living in the earthquake zone. Complex feelings such as societal helplessness, anger and guilt are making it difficult for individuals not in the earthquake region to adapt to daily life and the business world. Along with ongoing aftershocks, many negative reports coming from the region indicate that this depressive and anxious state of mind will have lasting effects. The business world is turning to professional support to improve its employees' psychological well-being during these difficult times. Through institutional psychological support training and corporate wellness programs following the disaster, experts are working to ensure employee well-being. Although recovery will take time, Psychologist Dr. Gizem Sürenkök, who emphasizes that these difficult periods can be overcome more easily through unity and solidarity and has conducted corporate psychological support work for companies for many years, outlined what needs to be done in 4 main points:

Coping with Indirect Impact

Individuals not in the earthquake zone also enter a process where their mental state and daily lives are negatively affected by what is called secondary trauma. Intense anxiety, anger, helplessness, aimlessness, panic, difficulty concentrating and sleep disturbances are emotions and conditions related to secondary trauma. At this point, learning to manage earthquake anxiety in a healthy way, being able to transform anger constructively and maintaining personal self-care stand out as the first steps that need to be learned.

Managing Earthquake Anxiety

Although anxiety is a functional emotion we experience about situations that have not yet occurred but might occur in the future—one that actually prepares us for those situations—when experienced very intensely it can negatively affect our daily lives. Among the general methods of coping with anxiety are regaining a sense of control, strengthening our sense of security and making preparations regarding what we are anxious about.

Receiving Psychological First Aid

Although everyone responds differently after traumatic situations, knowing what we can do both immediately after the trauma and in the following period helps us and our loved ones when faced with such situations. The basic steps of psychological aid consist of carefully observing the person in front of us, listening to them empathetically and building a connection with them. Understanding and applying the details of these steps increases the effectiveness of psychological first aid.

Contact with Those Affected by the Earthquake

As a result of the magnitude of the disaster, many of our acquaintances have been affected. While they work to readjust their lives, the contact we establish with them is of great importance. Being able to speak with them correctly, responding appropriately to their needs, making them feel safe and being open to their emotions are the first steps we need to take in this regard.