The biggest reminder from the day was: You are a helper, but you are human too. You cannot pour from an empty cup. Seeking support is not a weakness, and caring for your mental health should not be a once-off effort. Sometimes, it requires a continuous commitment to your own well-being. Because those who dedicate their lives to helping others deserve care and support, too. #TraumaAwareness #MentalHealthMatters

One key highlight was understanding how vicarious trauma can change a helper’s view of safety and trust. Through repeated exposure to clients’ traumatic experiences, helpers may become overprotective of their loved ones, struggle to trust others, or begin to see the world through the lens of fear. Through group assessments and real-life case scenarios, participants reflected on their experiences at work and explored what they could control, where they could influence outcomes, and what was beyond their control.

Behind every frontline service provider is a human being who listens to painful stories, supports people through difficult experiences, and carries the responsibility of helping others heal. But what happens when the work begins to affect the helper, too? Day 2 of the debriefing session explored this reality. Participants explored secondary and vicarious trauma, and healthier ways to process difficult experiences.

Tomorrow’s full-day session will continue with exploring secondary trauma, grounding techniques, control, and peer support to equip these frontline heroes with healthier ways to process difficult experiences. #TraumaAwareness #MentalHealthMatters

Participants engaged in personality assessments to better understand themselves, those they work with, and the clients they serve, as well as a creative “backpack” group activity to better understand the differences and similarities in their roles and how they complement each other. A central discussion highlighted the emotional weight of balancing extreme professional crises, like responding to rape and mental health cases, with personal roles like parenting.

Today’s session provided a safe, non-judgmental space to explore how trauma affects emotions, thoughts, behavior, and service delivery.

Frontline service providers are dedicated helpers, but they are also human. Given the intense nature of their work, they need time to step back, debrief, and prioritise their mental health. To support them, the #BreakFree pillar is hosting a day-and-a-half trauma debriefing session for 35 social workers and police officers at the #BeFree Youth Campus, facilitated by Ms. Charlene Uakuruamenua, a professional social worker and lecturer at Welwitchia University.

At #BreakFree, we recognise that healing is a process and every person’s experience is different. We remain committed to creating safe spaces, raising awareness and equipping young people with the knowledge and tools to better understand themselves and navigate difficult life experiences. #TraumaAwareness #HealthyCoping

Pastor Wimpie Vernooy reminded participants: “Respect your grief and give others the space to grieve in their own way. Allow yourself to feel the pain, acknowledge what you have lost, and take the time you need to process it. But don’t allow yourself to get stuck in it.”

These may include building healthy routines, gradually returning to everyday activities, and finding meaningful ways to remember and honour those or things we have lost.

The session covered trauma responses, including fight, flight and freeze, recognising personal triggers, managing emotions, and distinguishing between healthy and unhealthy coping mechanisms. Grief and forgiveness were also explored, highlighting the importance of acknowledging loss, allowing oneself to grieve and respecting how others process their pain and finding healthy ways to move forward.

Understanding trauma and developing healthy coping mechanisms are important steps towards emotional well-being and recovery. On the second day of the trauma debriefing session, members explored how difficult experiences can influence their emotions, behaviour and everyday lives.

Tomorrow’s full day session will continue with exploring trauma triggers, emotions, healthy and unhealthy coping mechanisms, helping members recognise what may trigger certain responses and understand healthier ways of dealing with difficult emotions and experiences. #TraumaAwareness #HealthyCoping

Today’s session focused on understanding trauma and its effects. Members also took part in a creative self-reflection activity where they drew an animal they identify with and shared what about the animal reflects them. The activity encouraged participants to explore their emotions, personalities and experiences in a simple and comfortable way, while getting to know themselves and one another better.

Understanding trauma is an important part of the healing journey. The #BreakFree pillar is hosting a two-day trauma debriefing session for 30 #BeFree members at the #BeFree Youth Campus, facilitated by Pastor Wimpie Vernooy, Ministry Leader and Director of the Mental Health & Addiction Ministry at Christian Family Centre (CFC) in Windhoek.

Tomorrow’s full day session will continue with exploring trauma triggers, emotions, healthy and unhealthy coping mechanisms, helping members recognise what may trigger certain responses and understand healthier ways of dealing with difficult emotions and experiences. #TraumaAwareness #HealthyCoping

As the campaign comes to an end, one message stands strong: abuse thrives in silence, but awareness, education and open conversations create safer communities for everyone. Thank you to every student who showed up, listened, shared and challenged perspectives. Together, we continue to break the silence.

The final stop of the "Don't Touch Me, I Will Report You" campaign took us to NUST, where students came together to engage in meaningful and necessary conversations about GBV, consent, victim blaming and personal safety. The dialogue created space for diverse perspectives, including discussions around the challenges male survivors may face when reporting abuse and the importance of believing and supporting all survivors regardless of gender. Students explored how harmful stereotypes, stigma and silence can prevent individuals from seeking help, while reinforcing the importance of consent, respect and accountability in all relationships.

The session also included interactive engagements and a performance by upcoming artist Scissors.🔥 The message remains clear: consent is non-negotiable, boundaries matter, and no one should feel afraid to speak up. “No means no, at any point in a relationship.” Shout out to Triumphant College, NAMPOL, and every young voice that showed up, shared and listened. The conversation doesn’t end here. 🙌 Let’s continue to respect boundaries, protect each other and speak up against abuse. 💬

Chief Inspector Simaho from The Namibian Police Force (NAMPOL) spoke about personal safety, knowing your rights, reporting abuse and that it’s never late to seek help. 🛡️ One Economy Foundation social workers unpacked the emotional and psychological impact of abuse, helping students recognise different forms of abuse, understand boundaries and know when to seek support.