Managing Mental Health in Cultural Heritage Emergency Response: Occupational Safety and Operational Resilience

Abstract

The period following an emergency that has negatively affected a cultural institution can cause adverse mental health consequences, ranging from shame to grief regarding the status of the collection or how the response was handled. A continuous high stress environment, anxiety from overwork in an uncertain situation, and inability to detach or rest can lead to behavioral health issues. Response to pressure can lead to taking shortcuts or non-compliance with personal safety and lead to further harm to collections. Any of these reactions can be overwhelming and can lead to further neglect of health, safety, and security on the work site, in a demotivating spiral that can affect recovery and successful outcomes for all concerned. This paper covers concepts such as the psychosocial Phases of Disaster, terms used to identify experiences, validate emotional responses, and for incorporating behavioral mental health into collections emergencies training and operations. Case studies and resources for managing mental health including skills and tools to recognize the early signs of stress, encourage communication, avoid or handle triggers, and defuse situations, to help mitigate these problems and lay a foundation for positive outcomes are provided.