Peer support and second victim programs for anesthesia professionals involved in stressful or traumatic clinical events.
Staff who experience negative emotions or feelings after being involved in an adverse event are considered "second victims" and require organizational support. This article describes the creation and success of the second victim peer support program Healing Emotional Lives of Peers (HELP). Leadership support, dedicated personnel, and continuous engagement of trained peer supporters has led to HELP's implementation in additional departments and rapid expansion during COVID-19.