Editor’s Note: Interested in free weekly updates from Northern Michigan? Sign up for the UP NORTH VOICE MAIL
By Donna Thoma
ROSCOMMON COUNTY- The Roscommon County Sheriff’s Victim Service Unit, along with nearly 400 other advocates from around the state, attended Michigan Sheriff’s Association (MSA) state training on April 24-25 in Lansing.
Subject matter covered Character and Ethics, Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS), Trauma Services available, and how to deal with scars, both seen and unseen. Advocates walk the initial path of grief and pain with a victim. Showing empathy and letting a victim/survivor “know they feel for what they’re going through,” is vitally important.
Advocate volunteers were reminded, they are there to “help others breath,” and be the “bridge” between a victim’s initial traumatic experience and first responders, until family or friends arrive. Advocates were admonished to “never quit helping!”
