Often the most effective help available to missionaries is self-help. Missionaries, more than most people, must rely on inner resources of courage and stamina when faced with crises. Often, however, those inner resources are not enough.

1. Carefully screen candidates before appointing them as missionaries.
2. Share with your missionaries a list of healthcare professionals they can consult in times of crises.
3. Help your missionaries prepare an escape plan for emergencies with optional escape routes. What if the airport is closed? What if the bridge on the main highway is out? Think through several contingencies.
4. Make sure your missionaries have the means for purchasing airline tickets on a moment’s notice.
5. Provide regular debriefings and mental health check-ups during each furlough. Healthy missionaries hold up better under stress.

1. Act quickly to get their missionaries into a safe environment.
2. Provide their missionaries with rest and nutrition as the first steps toward recovery, as God did for a burned-out Elijah (1 Kings 19:1-15).
3. Provide a crisis debriefing session by a qualified facilitator. Wycliffe International, the largest non-Catholic missionary-sending agency in North America suggests using the Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) technique developed by Mitchell and Mitchell to reduce the risk of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or other long-term negative effects to trauma (Wycliffe 2001. Debrief Workshop: Reformed church of America and Wycliffe Bible Translators. Chicago: np). The debriefing should take place as soon as the person is emotionally ready to participate, but is most effective if it occurs within 72 hours of the trauma. It has seven components:
• Introduction. The facilitator presents the purpose, structure, confidentiality, and rules for the debriefing session.
• Facts. Each member explains what his role was, the facts of what happened from his/her perspective.
• Thoughts. Each member explains what his/her first thought was after he stopped reacting in an automatic fashion.
• Reactions. The facilitator explores feelings by asking each member, “What sticks with you the most?” “What was the worst part for you?”
• Symptoms. The facilitator asks each member to describe any symptoms he/she experienced during the event, after the event, and currently. Facilitator explains the normalcy of these symptoms.
• Teaching. Facilitator provides additional information regarding stress reactions and coping methods.
• Re-entry. The facilitator summarizes, answers questions, plans follow-up, encourages development of short-term plans to reestablish stability, enhance support, and respond to immediate physical, medical, or emotional needs.
4. Surround your missionaries with prayer.
   The prayers of righteous people have a powerful effect (Philippians 1:19; James 5:15-16).