How do you know if you are experiencing moral injury?

Introduction

You cannot quite put your finger on it but intuitively you know something is happening to you and some of your work colleagues.

The awareness might not be instant, but over time you develop a growing uncomfortableness, capturing your thoughts, mind and being, that what you are witnessing in your work environment, is wrong.

Welcome!

If you are new to my newsletter, welcome. Here I write a short piece on a subject I am exploring, and on my broadcast on Tuesday evenings at 7.00 pm GMT, on various social media platforms, I do a deep dive into the topic. Check out my previous newsletters for various definitions of MI.

This is happening to me.

Over the last few months, I have explored MI, and folks who have reached out to me have stated how my explanation of MI resonated with them. Most never knew such a topic/phenomenon existed, but through my newsletters and broadcasts people realised it gave voice to what they had experienced, or, were experiencing. For some, they decided to leave their organisation before things got worse.

MI? How to spot the signs

The notion of MI is not so well known in the UK, but it needs to be. In the USA they are more advanced and open about the discussion on MI, and there seems to be more legal support there than in the UK.

Might you be experiencing MI, consider this by Canopi, a government funded organisation in Wales, who offer a “free and mental health service for social care and NHS staff.”?

“Are you suffering with a sense of guilt, shame, remorse or regret after witnessing, perpetrating or learning about an event which goes against your beliefs? Does this leave you reconsidering your career, for example, changing your role? Reducing your working hours? Leaving your workplace or even your profession??? You may be experiencing MI.” Know the signs of moral injury? – Canopi (nhs.wales)

If you loved your job, and now, after witnessing some unpleasant events at work, where little, if anything, is done to correct it, and you want to leave as quickly as possible, you may be indeed experiencing MI. Of course, this is different from the natural feeling or sensing it is time for you to change your organisation or a career change is due.

Moral injury and psychological safety

A point I have repeatedly stressed is the cataclysmic disruption? MI to one’s sense of self and humanity. It is so turbulent to us as human beings, it was having this experience,according to psychiatrist Jonathan Shay, that led many returnee soldiers after the Vietnam War to end their lives. It would not surprise me in the slightest if it is the same issue, currently undiagnosed/unrecognised, which is affecting many British soldiers. After doing tours of duty in various wars, many have feelings of depression, alienation, and a whole range of human maladaption, including suicidal ideation, and sadly, in some cases, suicide being completed.

The stress you are experiencing has nothing to do with your workload, but more so to do with significant unresolved work and personnel issues. Working in such stressful conditions can leave employees feeling unsafe, the consequences of which are devastating.?

Consider this. When we think of Health and Safety, H & S, at work, we consider the effective working of machinery, electrical, fire and emergency systems and procedures linked to human and environmental safety. People who experience MI begin to feel emotionally, existentially, and psychologically? unsafe at work. I would argue that feeling unsafe at work caused by MI is a Health and Safety issue which needs just as much investment and scrutiny as companies expend, in ensuring they comply with governmental legislation.?

There is enough evidence from the world of psychology informing us that employees feeling unsafe in their workplaces can lead to you experiencing anxiety and other mental health issues. What you must not forget is when you feel unsafe it is both an external and internal event. There are invisible physiological and hormonal responses happening within your body. For example, under stress, there are consistently high levels of cortisol and adrenaline in the body which can lead you to experiencing anxiety, depression, and I dare say, other complications.

Self help strategies

You can inform your supervisor, HR or management what you have seen. I am convinced there are workplaces where your concerns are taken seriously, but my interaction with folks over the last few months tells a different story…?

Within the UK context, you can file a complaint to ACAS - Acas | Making working life better for everyone in Britain

• Remember, you are not alone as others may be experiencing the same thing in your place of work. Could you reach out to anyone?
• Keep a journal. Document everything you see. You do not need to tell anyone you are doing so.
• Develop a support network either in your workplace or outside.
• Develop a self-care plan. In many instances, as I listen to those who have shared their story of MI with me, your plan will need to transcend mindfulness, exercise, diet and rest. While these are helpful, more stringent methods are required. For example, finding someone to talk to about your working conditions. Developing firm boundary management principles.
• Learning about moral conflict and how to deal/cope with it better. Learning about moral conflict may be not a part of your job description but if you remain committed to doing something positive and not simply turning your head in the opposite directions or burying your head in the sand it is something good to consider..

Concluding thoughts

The quicker you stop the signs of MI impacting you, and the more promptly you deal with it, the better it is for you.??

Remember, when you are unwell from the effects of MI, if you are still employed by the organisation you may get a bunch of flowers or a hamper, if you are lucky. There will be no one coming to cook you a nice pot of chicken soup to help you recover.?

Taking measures to look after yourself is your number one priority…no one else’s.

Wishing you well and working towards the best for you.?

Delroy Hall

www.delwes.com

With over three decades experience working as a psychotherapist, trainer, facilitator, and as a local and? international leader, I am open to working with individuals, teams and organisations.