Vicarious Trauma in the Workplace – what we all need to know

If you were asked to list who might be at risk of compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma in their working roles, most of us would probably come up with healthcare professionals, social workers and those working in the emergency services. But would our list include those researching and reporting on the news, those writing or reviewing specialist reports, those involved in building legal cases, or those who moderate social media content?

The above are just some examples. Whether they realise it or not, many people are indirectly and repeatedly exposed to trauma through what they read, hear or see in the course of their work. Over time, if the impact of this is not understood and/or individuals are unaware of suitable strategies to adopt to protect themselves, the cumulative nature of such exposure can result in vicarious trauma.

Symptoms of Vicarious Trauma

An individual may start noting personal difficulties having observed particularly traumatic events or evidence, or after working in a role for a while, which includes constant or regular exposure to traumatic content. They may notice, for example, they are unable to switch off, have become particularly cynical and angry, have problems sleeping, are experiencing headaches, have problems with digestion, or realise their work has triggered a past trauma in their own life. All these examples are normal responses to repeated exposure to someone else’s trauma. And being unsure what support might help or even where to seek it can exacerbate their issue.

If warning signs are not tackled, those continually exposed to others’ trauma can find that compassion fatigue has set in. This can manifest by leaving an individual feeling numb, emotionally exhausted and disconnected from their work. Symptoms such as anxiety, depression and intrusive thoughts can impact both their personal and professional lives, placing a strain on relationships and leading to feelings of isolation both in the workplace and outside of it.

If not spotted, this illustrates how detrimental vicarious trauma can be to an individual’s mental health. However, its effects will also be felt by the organisation, as it can result in reduced performance, burnout, absence, and work having to be redistributed. There may even be increased turnover and recruitment costs if affected individuals do not ultimately return to their roles.

Possible actions to help protect against Vicarious Trauma

For workplaces:

Deliver training to help managers and individuals understand the impact vicarious trauma can have, be able to recognise its signs and discuss relevant actions that can be taken to protect themselves and, where relevant, their team.

Ensure managers understand the importance of a supportive and resilient environment for everyone in their team, by adopting behaviours such as:

• Knowing when and where to signpost any team member to appropriate support.
• Encouraging healthy self-care – lead from the front by taking regular breaks, making sure working hours and workloads are reasonable, ensuring team members know they can take a break from their duties if they feel affected by them, and where they can step away to.
• Helping to create psychological safety where open communication is promoted, employees feel comfortable sharing experiences and feelings without any stigma.
• Establishing frequent team meetings, debriefing sessions and peer support groups where difficulties with projects can be discussed and any feelings of stress or isolation relating to them can be eased.

If appropriate, consider the possibility of introducing practical proactive measures, such as rotating work schedules for staff who are exposed to traumatic content or the possibility of establishing clear procedures regarding content warnings and time-limiting exposure to such content.

For colleagues:

If you notice behaviour changes in a colleague and are worried that they may be showing symptoms of vicarious trauma, talk to them, letting them know the changes you’ve noticed. Be in a position to actively listen and know where to signpost for further support so they can have the opportunity to share what they’re experiencing and get further help.

For individuals:

Look after yourself, but as everyone’s different, finding what coping methods work for you is important. Revisit your self-care practices regarding exercise, nutrition and sleep. Reflect on resilience skills such as setting boundaries, practicing mindfulness, maintaining your support network, and being realistic. Be alert for any warning signs of vicarious trauma and know who you can reach out to if and when needed. The phrase, ‘proactivity isn’t selfish it’s essential’ is very pertinent.