ASTRA conducted pilot trainings in Belgrade and Kraljevo dedicated to the prevention of secondary trauma and strengthening the resilience of professional workers who provide support to individuals with traumatic experiences in their daily work. The workshops were implemented within the project Care for Helpers – Strengthening the Support Chain for Professionals in the Field of Combating Human Trafficking, with the support of the Canadian Embassy.
Through interactive work, the exchange of experiences, and practical exercises, participants engaged with topics of particular importance for their professional and personal integrity, including: understanding the phenomenon of human trafficking, professional stress, vicarious and secondary trauma, compassion fatigue and burnout, as well as resilience building and self-support strategies. Special focus was placed on the importance of creating a supportive work environment, as well as the role of supervision, intervision, and team collaboration in preserving the mental health of helpers.
The interactive exercises were led by psychotherapist Biljana Slavković and psychologist Zorka Vuković, who also provide direct support to victims of human trafficking. Through a practical and experiential approach, they created space for the exchange of real challenges that professional workers face in their everyday practice.
Participants of the Belgrade training were welcomed by the Canadian Ambassador to the Republic of Serbia, North Macedonia, and Montenegro, Michelle Cameron, who emphasized the importance of systemic support for professionals working with individuals who have experienced trauma.
On that occasion, Nada Padejski Šekerović presented the findings of a study entitled Support for Professionals – Examining the Consequences of Working with Service Users with Traumatic Experiences, the implementation of which was supported by the Republican Institute for Social Protection. The study examines the effects of prolonged work with trauma on professional workers, as well as the need for systemic support and the development of mechanisms for protecting the mental health of helpers. The final version of the study will be published on our website shortly.
The workshops were conducted as pilot activities, and the input gathered from participants will be integrated into the development and accreditation of a programme within the social protection system. The programme will focus on the wellbeing, resilience, and professional sustainability of professional workers, with the aim of improving the quality of services provided to end users.
A handbook intended for professional workers is also planned, which will offer concrete tools and guidelines for preserving personal resources, professional boundaries, and long-term sustainability in helping professions.