• The Oak Harbor Public Schools Board of Directors is committed to preventing and addressing secondary traumatic stress for District personnel by supporting mental health in the workplace. Every day school staff work with students experiencing trauma and loss. As a result, teachers, school counselors, administrators, and other school staff may experience secondary traumatic stress. When secondary traumatic stress is left unaddressed, it may lead to staff turnover, burnout, adult chronic absenteeism, and health issues that negatively impact everyone in the school community.

    Symptoms of secondary traumatic stress may include feelings of isolation, anxiety, dissociation, physical ailments, and sleep disturbances. In addition, those affected by secondary traumatic stress may experience Changes in memory and perception; alterations in their sense of self-efficacy; a depletion of personal resources; and disruption in their perceptions of safety, trust, and independence. OHPS has compiled the following resources for staff to use and created a task force to provide additional benefits for staff. 

    RESOURCES