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COMPASSION FATIGUE Caregivers can experience compassion fatigue when caring for others who have lived through trauma. Those who experience compassion fatigue take on the trauma of the students they care for which can lead to stress and mental and physical exhaustion.
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The good news is that it doesn’t last forever.
verybody’s been there before. Maybe you’re in that long stretch after spring break and feel like you just don’t have much more to give. Maybe you feel exhausted and that there’s no light at the end of the tunnel. Often, we call it burnout, and this may be exactly what it is. Sometimes these feelings can indicate something that seems similar, but that is, at its core, very different. Sometimes, what we’re feeling is called compassion fatigue. File photo provided by Wes-Del Community Schools. Compassion fatigue, much like burnout, is accompanied by feelings of stress and exhaustion. You’ve likely felt that before, but with compassion fatigue these feelings are caused by how intensely you care about those who are suffering from the impact of trauma or are under significant emotional distress. It’s often accompanied by mental and physical exhaustion and can sometimes lead you to withdraw emotionally from the things that matter to you.
RECONSIDERING
T EN U O OM Y M R FO
While burnout is often the culmination of exhaustion and helplessness, compassion fatigue is often the result of taking on the trauma of the students you are serving. It comes from working to understand students’ suffering and becoming absorbed in their trauma. It comes from tireless and
BURNOUT
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QUICK TIPS
FOR CONFRONTING COMPASSION FATIGUE CONNECT WITH COLLEAGUES
EXPLORE RESOURCES
TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR SPACE
PRIORITIZE EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING
Find trusted peers to help you bear the load. Clarify boundaries and be intentional about what you take home at the end of the day.
Find materials to enhance awareness and inspire self-care. Remember you must make sure that you are at your best to help your students get there as well.
