POSITIONING SELF-CARE FOR SOCIAL WORKERS IN THE DISASTER CONTEXT: An Individual and Organisation Perspective

This chapter seeks to examine and refine the concept of self-care so it can be better utilised by social workers during disaster situations. In doing so, this chapter will guide readers through a review of current individual self-care practices, some of their limitations, and how they can be improved by applying an organisational perspective. In order to review these topics and best illustrate why organisationally rooted self-care can be beneficial, this chapter will first judiciously discuss self-care as an individual practice, and then at the end of the chapter, it will approach self-care from an organisational perspective. By the end of the chapter, readers will better understand: (1) some of the self-care practices available to them; (2) how their occupational environment may benefit by implementing self-care as an organisational component of their workplace; and (3) how social workers can be better prepared for the uniquely stressful psychosocial challenges that occur during disasters.