Compassion Fatigue in COVID-19 Times
Compassion fatigue is a term that has been around a long time, but has been frequently referred to and cited during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s defined as emotional, physical, and spiritual distress in those who provide care to another and is associated with ‘caring roles’ where staff experience significant emotional or physical pain and suffering (https://www.compassionfatigue.org).
Wellbeing research suggests that good organisational leadership and a supportive work culture can have a positive impact on the psychological wellbeing of these staff before, during and after the crisis. From Dale Care, we want to promote the culture that recognises that “it is ok not be ok” and offer strategies and services to support all people involved in our service.
Do you have any of the following symptoms?
- Feeling acutely anxious Unable to rest or relax (you feel like you need to be at work all the time as only you can do the job well enough)
- Dreading work and feeling guilty because of it
- Feeling constantly irritable and short tempered
- Feeling exhausted (emotionally, physically or both)
- Hypersensitivity or insensitive to emotional events
- Reduced feelings of sympathy or empathy
- Unable to sleep or feel withdrawn and detached
- Experiencing multiple minor illnesses, constant headaches or back pain
- Unintentional weight loss or altered eating habits
- Impaired decision making
- Problems with personal relationships
- Poor work life balance
- Diminished sense of career fulfilment
Emotional Health and Wellbeing Support Service
Employees who are in roles that are exposed to new or additional trauma may therefore have a higher risk of mental health problems such as depression and anxiety which could result in long-term sickness absence, either now or when the crisis has passed.
We therefore offer our staff our own Emotional Health and Wellbeing Support service:
- 100% Confidential
- Trained staff
- Signpost to wider networks
| Telephone number: 07751828989 Email: carol.jackson@dalecare.co.uk |
Additional Support
- Care Force App
Join the Official Department of Health and Social Care COVID-19 Workforce app to:
- Get up-to-the-minute advice on everything you need to know about managing Covid-19 – all in one easy-to-access digital hub.
- Practical resources on everything from daily briefings, to the latest on safety and procedural advice, offers for NHS staff, wellbeing tips, and more.
- All the information you need in one place – access from any device with the internet so you can easily search and get trusted information fast.
- Instant notifications in your inbox and on your phone to keep you up to date with the latest info the moment it’s released.
Available for iOS and Android.
https://workforce.adultsocialcare.uk/
- Mental Health
