The practices of psychological support for state emergency service personnel experiencing ambiguous loss.

Abstract

Abstract. The article is devoted to the analysis of the problem of the psychological support for the State Emergency Service personnel experiencing ambiguous loss. The article analyzes the phenomenon of the ambiguous loss and identifies a number of characteristic features that significantly distinguish it from other types of loss (accompanied by a feeling of incompleteness, which creates additional emotional stress on the individual; a situation of the ambiguous loss causes the feeling of uncertainty, which hinders the adaptation process and causes a high level of stress; emotional tension caused by uncertainty affects all aspects of a person life, in particular their emotional well-being, interpersonal relationships and ability to make decisions). The paper reveals two main types of ambiguous loss: physical and psychological (physical loss occurs when a person or object is physically absent, but their emotional connection with those who are experiencing the loss remains; psychological loss occurs when a person is physically present but, due to certain circumstances, is emotionally or psychologically unavailable for interaction). The consequences of experiencing the ambiguous loss of the individual are analyzed. The specifics of psychological support of the staff of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine and family members of missing people by the psychologists (mental tutors) are revealed. The psychological support for the State Emergency Service staff experiencing the ambiguous loss is provided in accordance with the unified protocols and “Mental Tutor” technology, which ensures increased psychological effectiveness. The psychological support for the State Emergency Service personnel, experiencing the ambiguous loss, is provided in accordance with the standardized protocols and “Mental Tutor” technology, which ensures more effective psychological assistance aimed at preserving and restoring mental health. The basic principles of psychological support (empathic support, normalization of reactions, strengthening of the internal resources, support for the adaptation process) are revealed. The forms of assistance used in the process of psychological support for the State Emergency Service personnel experiencing the ambiguous loss (individual counseling, group work, crisis intervention, psychoeducation) are identified.