"From helper to survivor and back: Do's and don'ts from professionals who endured mass Trauma"

In an era marked by recurring large-scale disasters, whether political, man-made, or natural, the mental health community is increasingly confronted with the challenge of dual identity: the caregiver as survivor. At the 2025 PreAct Conference, the panel titled "From Helper to Survivor and Back: Do's and Don'ts from Professionals Who Endured Mass Trauma" brought together three seasoned professionals who offered raw, personal accounts of surviving mass trauma while maintaining their roles as mental health clinicians. Together, their experiences formed a powerful narrative of vulnerability, resilience, and the urgent need for systemic preparedness. Moderated with a focus on both reflection and foresight, the panel featured Dr. Lorraine Giordano (emergency and disaster medicine), Dr. Esther Teverovsky (geriatric psychiatry), and Dr. Rinat Galili (social work). All three have lived through catastrophic events not just as professionals, but also as direct victims and community members. They shared vivid, unvarnished accounts of personal trauma and professional adaptation, prompting critical reflection on trauma preparedness, therapeutic boundaries, and systems of support. This commentary aims to summarize the panel and highlight key messages illustrated by their testimonies. Our goal is to be apolitical and focus on the universal experience and response to stress, particularly in the field of mental health.