From the Employee Assistance Program KEPRO article, “Social Justice”:

“Updated June 12—A wave of protests across the nation has prompted many individuals and organizations to reevaluate how they can support their black friends, coworkers, and others impacted by racism. While people may be unsure how to begin, a sensitive, honest conversation can often be a good place to start. If you think this may be appropriate in your situation, the following links offer some talking points that may help:”

• CNBC—
  • “Talking about racial inequality at work is difficult—here are tips to do it thoughtfully”: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/05/how-to-thoughtfully-talk-about-racial-inequality-with-your-coworkers.html
  • “The right way for companies to weigh in on racism, according to experts”: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/02/how-companies-can-weigh-in-on-racism-in-the-right-wayexperts.html
• This toolkit from Harvard University offers some starting points for “Discussing Race & Difficult Conversations”: https://rides.gse.harvard.edu/discussing-race-difficult-conversations
• Harvard Business Review—”How Organizations Can Support the Mental Health of Black Employees”: https://hbr.org/2020/06/how-organizations-can-support-the-mental-health-of-black-employees
• New York Times—”How Much Racism Do You Face Every Day?”: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/racism-african-americans-quiz.html
• Where Change Started (https://www.wherechangestarted.com), an anti-racism education platform, has created The Antiracism Starter Kit: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5b21b436f8370a84045a7256/t/5dfa5d9ccda8467a3e891749/1576689054017/Antiracism+Starter+Kit.pdf

Additionally, many parents and caregivers are asking themselves how to talk to their children. The followings links may help:

• CNN—”How to talk to your children about protests and racism”: https://edition.cnn.com/2020/06/01/health/protests-racism-talk-to-children-wellness/index.html
• Parents.com—Anti-Racism for Kids: An Age-by-Age Guide to Fighting Hate: https://www.parents.com/parenting/better-parenting/advice/how-to-teach-your-kids-to-fight-hate-an-age-by-age-guide
• Tolerance.org—A Parent’s Guide to Preventing and Responding to Prejudice (PDF): https://www.tolerance.org/sites/default/files/general/beyond_golden_rule.pdf
• Healthline—”How to Talk to Your Kids About Injustice, Racism, and Protests”: https://www.healthline.com/health-news/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-racism
• UNICEF—”Talking to Your Kids About Racism”: https://www.unicef.org/parenting/talking-to-your-kids-about-racism
• ChildMind—”Racism and Violence: How to Help Kids Handle the News”: https://childmind.org/article/racism-and-violence-how-to-help-kids-handle-the-news
• Vox—”How to Talk to Kids About Racism, Explained By a Psychologist”: https://www.vox.com/identities/2020/6/9/21283715/how-to-talk-kids-racism-race-protests

Finally, the current events and recent acts of violence may have brought up other intense emotions. The following may offer support for those dealing with racism-based trauma as well as general trauma and PTSD:

• Black Lives Matter website offers this Healing Action Toolkit, as well as other helpful guides, at https://blacklivesmatter.com/resources
• HelpGuide—”Emotional and Psychological Trauma”: https://www.helpguide.org/articles/ptsd-trauma/coping-with-emotional-and-psychological-trauma.htm
• The Fix—”For Survivors of Police Violence, Healing Remains Elusive”: https://www.thefix.com/survivors-police-violence-healing-remains-elusive
• Brown University discusses “Coping with Race-Related Stress” for university students: https://www.brown.edu/campus-life/support/counseling-and-psychological-services/coping-race-related-stress
• CNBC—”4 ways to cope with racial trauma amid the coronavirus pandemic”: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/10/4-ways-to-cope-with-racial-trauma-amid-the-coronavirus-pandemic.html

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KEPRO Website: EAPhelplink.com  Code: USGCares
Readers might find these articles and resources helpful:

• Individual’s Reactions to Traumatic Events
• Coping with a Traumatic Event
• Coping with Grief After Community Violence
• Coping with Trauma: How Families Can Be Supportive
• Coping with Crime Victimization:
  • What You Can Do if You’re a Victim of Crime
  • This PDF contains resources on financial assistance, volunteer opportunities, and other support that may help those whose homes or businesses may have been damaged in the riots in Minneapolis.
• Tips for Talking to Children and Youth After Traumatic Events
• Tips for Parents on Media Coverage of Violent Events
• Coping with Crisis in the Media (Part 1)
• Coping with Crisis in the Media (Part 2)
• Coping with Traumatic Events: Advice for Managers
• Negative Coping and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)