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.
FAQ
1. What is vicarious trauma and why is it a significant health and safety hazard for conflict resolution work?
Vicarious trauma is the emotional cost of empathy at work, where individuals are exposed to the traumatic experiences of others leading to mental health issues. It is a significant hazard for those in conflict resolution work as it can result in symptoms such as hypervigilance, emotional unavailability, compassion fatigue, and work burnout.
2. What are some common symptoms of vicarious trauma in individuals working in conflict resolution professions?
Common symptoms of vicarious trauma include hypervigilance, emotional unavailability to friends and family, compassion fatigue, and work burnout.
3. What resources and support systems are available for conflict professionals to help manage vicarious trauma?
There are various resources and support systems in place for conflict professionals, including specific training and resources related to trauma, debriefing with peers, accessing clinical support, spending quality time with loved ones, and staying up to date with the latest research in the field.
4. How can conflict professionals protect themselves from vicarious trauma and its impacts?
Conflict professionals can protect themselves from vicarious trauma by knowing the signs, seeking support from others, debriefing regularly with peers, increasing variety in their work, accessing clinical support, spending time outdoors, maintaining a sense of humor, finding purpose in their work without letting it define them.
5. Is there any legislation or guidelines in place to manage the risk of vicarious trauma in workplaces?
In Australia, Safe Work Australia has set out guidelines in a Model Code of Practice to manage psychosocial hazards in workplaces, including the risk of vicarious trauma. Additionally, organizations such as the BlueKnot Foundation and Black Dog Institute provide resources and support for managing vicarious trauma in the workplace.
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