Vicarious trauma is a significant health and safety hazard for most conflict resolution work.
It is the emotional cost of our empathy at work. We are subject to vicarious trauma when we are exposed to the traumatic experiences of others. Over time, or instantly, this will take a toll on our own mental health and wellbeing. Some of the symptoms of this in us may be hypervigilance, emotional unavailability to our friends and family, compassion fatigue and work burnout.
It is a real and significant risk that can even cost us our lives. For example, Victorian Magistrate Stephen Myall committed suicide on 14 March 2018 after hearing sex cases involving children, he himself suffering the impacts of secondary trauma.
A study was conducted into vicarious trauma in the legal profession in 2008, which compared solicitors working with traumatised clients (criminal lawyers) compared with conveyancing lawyers and academics. The study found that criminal lawyers reported higher levels of stress and depression, self-safety and intimacy, and sought professional assistance in greater numbers. The most frequently reported strategies were reading, seeking peer support, listening to music, sport or exercise.
The good news is there are a lot of resources and support systems in place now, for conflict professionals like lawyers, mediators, counsellors, complaints managers, conciliators and coaches to support themselves.
In Australia, as of April 2023, there's a focus on managing psychosocial hazards in workplaces to protect mental health and wellbeing. Safe Work Australia has set this out clearly in a Model Code of Practice - which provides direction on managing the risk of vicarious trauma in workplaces. The BlueKnot Foundation, Black Dog Institute, and many other mental health advocacy groups also have published free and quality resources in this space.
These are the ways that I take care of myself, and the teams I work with:
Access specific training and resources in relation to trauma and vicarious trauma
Know the signs and seek support from others to identify when you are struggling
Debrief regularly with your peers, for your own benefit, but also to support your peers. I have a list of 5 go to peers that I call when I'm struggling, or I choose to call randomly to see how they are going. Make yourself a list of at least 3 now!
Increase variety in your work, there is only so much we can handle
Access clinical support at least twice a year (GP, Counsellor) to check in
Spend quality time with loved ones
Get outdoors (exercise, gardening, or just sitting)
Keep a sense of humour in the work you do
Be proud and find purpose in your work, but ensure that it does not define who you are.
Stay up to date with the latest research in this space - it is an evolving area.