Not sure where to start? Let’s start with a familiar framework: The Disaster Management Cycle.
A Familiar Framework
In disaster and emergency management, professionals often use something called the Disaster Management Cycle.
The cycle includes four phases:
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- Preparedness
- Response
- Recovery
- Mitigation
These phases help communities prepare for, respond to, recover from, and reduce the impact of future disasters.
At MESS Ministries, we recognized that this same framework can help us understand mental, emotional, and spiritual support.
PREPAREDNESS
Building capacity before support is needed.
These helpers enjoy planning, organizing, training, and creating systems that help people succeed.
RESPONSE
Providing stabilization following a critical incident, traumatic event, or devastating disaster.
These helpers are often comfortable stepping into difficult situations and helping people regain footing and functioning.
RECOVERY
Walking alongside people long after the crisis has passed or simply supporting those dealing with a daily difficulty and struggling with stress.
These helpers excel at listening, encouraging, exploring, and supporting healthy growth.
MITIGATION
Strengthening resilience in both people and programs.
These helpers focus on developing people, strengthening teams, building healthy cultures, and empowering the ethical responsibility of self-care.
We’re not talking about removing trees from roofs, providing medical care, or repairing damaged buildings. We’re talking about helping people navigate life’s disruptions, challenges, crises, losses, and transitions.
Just as communities need different kinds of support at different times, people do too.
Our Four Helping Hats
As we explored these helping styles further, we identified four common helping preferences.
We think of them as Helping Hats.
So... Which Helping Hat Fits You Best?
Most people can wear all four hats at different times.
But many of us have a natural preference. A helping role that feels more energizing. More meaningful. More like us.
Discovering that preference can help you better understand your strengths, identify opportunities to serve, and find training that supports the way you’re naturally wired to help.
Your Next Step
Take our free 60-Second Helping Flow Assessment
You may be surprised to discover that you’ve been wearing a Helping Hat all along.
Or, click here to download the “helping flowchart”