Title: Vicarious trauma & burnout | The Lookout
Headings: Vicarious trauma & burnout
Vicarious trauma & burnout
Impacts of responding to family violence
Recognising the signs and symptoms of vicarious trauma
Recognising the signs and symptoms of burnout
How to protect yourself
Preventing burnout

Content: walks, seeing friends
Rest – have some time with no goals e.g. taking naps, watching clouds, lying on the beach
Play – have fun and do things that make you laugh e.g. playing with children and pets, creative activities, watching a favourite comedy
A note on self-compassion: If you are working to help people and end up being witness to stories of abuse and violence, it’s good to remember that an emotional response is also a human one. While it’s important to maintain professional composure with your clients, emotional responses related to abuse and violence are natural and even appropriate. Staying in contact with how you feel and having self-compassion will help you to be resilient and sustain your work. Preventing burnout
To help prevent the symptoms of vicarious trauma and burnout from escalating or happening in the first place: Utilise your team and managers for regular debriefing and other support
Find out if you have access to an employee assistance program (known as EAP) to access in times of need
Engage in reflective practice. This can be one-on-one with a trusted friend or your manager, counsellor or other support person (sometimes called ‘supervision’); with colleagues; or on your own e.g. by writing in a journal
Honour your scheduled breaks and annual leave
Evaluate your work space to ensure it is conducive to wellbeing – enough space for you and your colleagues to have lunch together, ‘chill-out’ spaces, lots of plants/flowers/colour/light. Be kind and supportive to your co-workers and make sure to celebrate achievements and birthdays to take time out