First Crisis Aid in the Workplace: Exploring Action Algorithms for Acute Emotional States

28/ 08/ 2026

In the context of prolonged stress, war and constant uncertainty, employees’ emotional wellbeing directly affects team interaction, work processes and business resilience. How can we support a colleague experiencing a strong emotional reaction, respond appropriately to a crisis situation while maintaining our own professional boundaries? These questions formed the basis of the training programme “First Crisis Aid in the Workplace: Action Algorithms for Acute Emotional States Amid Chronic Stress and War”, organised by the Southern Ukrainian and Western Ukrainian Offices of the European Business Association. On August 26, the first online module of the programme was held, bringing together representatives of EBA member companies who work with teams, employees and internal communication. Participants joined the training to gain practical tools for supporting colleagues in challenging emotional situations and to better understand their own responses to stress. This stage of the training focused on the principles of creating psychological safety in the workplace, the mechanisms behind emotional responses and the specifics of human behaviour in crisis situations. The seminar was led by Nataliia Shcherbyna, trauma therapist, crisis communication expert and organisational supervisor. During the seminar, participants explored: factors contributing to psychological safety within teams; the “Parts Theory” as a tool for working with people’s emotional responses; approaches to supporting colleagues experiencing strong emotional reactions. An important part of the session was the participants’ questions based on their own experiences of crisis response and supporting colleagues. These discussions showed that while there is a genuine willingness to support others, it is not always clear how to do so in a way that is appropriate, effective, and safe for both sides. When is it appropriate to step in, and when is it better to give a person some space? Where does our own responsibility end, and when is professional support needed? The lack of clear guidance in such situations can either prevent people from offering support or lead to excessive involvement and exhaustion on the part of the person providing it. Following the online seminar, participants also received access to professional online assessment tools on the supervision.com.ua platform, which will help assess overall stress load and professional burnout, as well as identify basic stress-coping strategies. The results will help tailor the next stages of the training to participants’ individual needs. The second, practical offline module of the programme is coming next. During this session, participants will develop and practise crisis response skills: recognising anxiety, panic, apathy, emotional exhaustion and other states; applying self-regulation techniques; choosing appropriate words and actions to reduce tension; and understanding the boundaries of their own role in providing support. The second module will also allow participants to turn the knowledge gained during the online seminar into practical skills that can be applied in their day-to-day work with teams. We thank all participants for their active engagement and Nataliia Shcherbyna for an insightful discussion. We look forward to seeing you at the practical module of the programme!

On August 26, the first online module of the programme was held, bringing together representatives of EBA member companies who work with teams, employees and internal communication. Participants joined the training to gain practical tools for supporting colleagues in challenging emotional situations and to better understand their own responses to stress.

This stage of the training focused on the principles of creating psychological safety in the workplace, the mechanisms behind emotional responses and the specifics of human behaviour in crisis situations.

The seminar was led by Nataliia Shcherbyna, trauma therapist, crisis communication expert and organisational supervisor.

During the seminar, participants explored:

factors contributing to psychological safety within teams;
the “Parts Theory” as a tool for working with people’s emotional responses;
approaches to supporting colleagues experiencing strong emotional reactions.

An important part of the session was the participants’ questions based on their own experiences of crisis response and supporting colleagues. These discussions showed that while there is a genuine willingness to support others, it is not always clear how to do so in a way that is appropriate, effective, and safe for both sides.

When is it appropriate to step in, and when is it better to give a person some space? Where does our own responsibility end, and when is professional support needed? The lack of clear guidance in such situations can either prevent people from offering support or lead to excessive involvement and exhaustion on the part of the person providing it.

Following the online seminar, participants also received access to professional online assessment tools on the supervision.com.ua platform, which will help assess overall stress load and professional burnout, as well as identify basic stress-coping strategies. The results will help tailor the next stages of the training to participants’ individual needs.

The second, practical offline module of the programme is coming next. During this session, participants will develop and practise crisis response skills: recognising anxiety, panic, apathy, emotional exhaustion and other states; applying self-regulation techniques; choosing appropriate words and actions to reduce tension; and understanding the boundaries of their own role in providing support.

The second module will also allow participants to turn the knowledge gained during the online seminar into practical skills that can be applied in their day-to-day work with teams.

We thank all participants for their active engagement and Nataliia Shcherbyna for an insightful discussion.

We look forward to seeing you at the practical module of the programme!