Well + Good: How to deal with compassion fatigue, or secondary trauma
The American Institute of Stress defines compassion fatigue as “the emotional residue or strain of exposure to working with those suffering from the consequences of traumatic events.” Also known as secondary traumatic stress, second-hand shock, and vicarious trauma, the term, coined by writer Carla Joinson, is reserved for professional healthcare providers such as doctors, nurses, and other front-line care workers, as well as their families. However, nearly 30 years after its conception and amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, compassion fatigue could undoubtedly impact non-traditional caretakers like volunteers, activists and organizers, teachers, grocery workers, and journalists, to name a few—especially with the non-stop news and charitable asks disseminated across social media platforms.
lmalik.com 