Coping with Overdose Fatalities: Tools for Public Health Workers

The suggested tools and resources herein address the need for agencies to support frontline service providers following exposure to an overdose fatality. Frontline service providers may include any staff members that interact directly with populations that are at greater risk for experiencing overdose. The suggestions throughout the document should be implemented in keeping with agency-based policies and procedures for staff support. Introducing these strategies into the workplace can foster greater well-being among those staff members most vulnerable to trauma and distress.

The goal of these suggestions is to promote well-being in the workplace for those most vulnerable to trauma, stress and grief. To achieve this, outlined below are principles for agencies to incorporate into their organization, how to acknowledge death in the moment, approaches to coping with strong emotions, the importance of building a support system, and the process of grief.