Navigating Vicarious Trauma: A Story, A Reality, A Call to Action

When 9/11 happened, it didn’t matter if you were there or thousands of miles away—you felt its impact. You may have seen the images on TV, spoken to someone affected, or experienced the anxiety from the widespread fear and uncertainty. This is how vicarious trauma operates; you don’t need to be directly involved to feel its weight.

I experienced this firsthand during my years in clinical practice. Long shifts responding to crises—preventing suicide attempts, comforting grieving families, or supporting patients post-self-harm—had me feeling drained, anxious, and often unable to leave work at work. Vicarious trauma, defined as the cumulative emotional impact of exposure to others' trauma, doesn’t just stay in one sector. It's a phenomenon that crosses industries, affecting well-being, productivity, and safety.

What is Vicarious Trauma?

Vicarious trauma is the emotional residue of exposure to the traumatic experiences of others. It's not limited to those working in mental health. Vicarious trauma can affect anyone exposed to distressing information or high-pressure situations repeatedly, leading to symptoms such as anxiety, irritability, sleep disturbances, or emotional withdrawal.

How Vicarious Trauma Shows Up in Various Industries

• Healthcare: Continual exposure to patient trauma or crisis situations.
• Mining & Construction: Witnessing accidents, injuries, or coping with isolated, high-risk environments.
• Corporate: Navigating high stress from deadlines, targets, and client demands.
• Emergency Services: Frequent exposure to life-threatening situations or critical incidents.

The Ripple Effect of Ignoring Vicarious Trauma Across Industries

• Healthcare: Can lead to burnout, increased errors, and poor patient care.
• Mining & Construction: Increased safety risks, poor team morale, and potential accidents from decreased focus.
• Corporate: High turnover, reduced innovation, lack of collaboration, and increased absenteeism.
• Emergency Services: Compassion fatigue, poor decision-making, and decreased job performance under pressure.

Signs of Vicarious Trauma to Watch For

• Difficulty leaving work or detaching emotionally.
• Feelings of frustration, irritability, or anxiety.
• Disturbed sleep, nightmares, or racing thoughts.
• Withdrawal from personal life and relationships.

How Leaders Can Respond and Support

• Monthly Check-ins: Consistent team check-ins to discuss stress and workload.
• Mental Health Literacy Training: Equip leaders to recognize trauma and stress symptoms.
• Open-Door Policy: Creating a safe space for employees to voice their struggles.
• Mental Assessments: Regular evaluations to gauge mental health status and address concerns.

Final Thoughts for Leaders

Vicarious trauma is real and can affect anyone exposed to stress or trauma through their work. By prioritising mental health and building resilient teams, leaders not only protect their own well-being but create healthier, supportive, and high-performing workplaces.

MM Complete Wellbeing? – Partnering with Leaders

At MM Complete Wellbeing?, we equip leaders to be proactive about mental health, offering holistic support through our 360° Wellness Solution?. Our goal is to reduce psychosocial hazards and build resilient, thriving workplaces. We help leaders recognise early signs, foster self-care, and implement effective strategies to support both themselves and their teams.

As leaders, prioritising mental health is no longer optional—it's crucial for both individual and organizational well-being. Let’s take the first step together. Connect with MM Complete Wellbeing? today.

This article was published on the 7th October 2024 by Mabble Munyimani.

Mabble Munyimani is passionate about empowering individuals and organisations to thrive in a diverse environment. Mabble also draws on her expertise as a Mental Health Expert and her storytelling ability to enrich her impactful programs. With a robust background in critical and acute care nursing, Mabble brings a wealth of experience in risk assessment, crisis management, and direct patient care to her role in supporting leaders and their teams in the workplace.

Her extensive clinical training has equipped her with a unique skill set crucial for understanding and addressing workplace psychological hazards and promoting mental health and well-being.

As a global citizen, born and raised in Zimbabwe, Africa, and having studied and developed her professional and entrepreneurial skills in the United Kingdom and Australia, she brings a diverse perspective to her work.

Mabble's goal is to cultivate inclusive cultures within organisations, fostering engagement and effectiveness across diverse demographic groups. Through her dynamic training sessions and keynote speeches, Mabble equips teams with the tools necessary to navigate and leverage the complexities of the workplace, ultimately driving innovation and business success.