Substance abuse and mental health professionals are at risk of “compassion fatigue.” How do they stay healthy so they can be there to help for years to come?
Professionals who work in the fields of mental health and substance abuse (especially those who deal with dual disorders and confront both on a daily basis) are at a particularly high risk for professional burnout. A phenomenon known as “compassion fatigue” can occur when the pressure from their daily work begins to erode their outlook and attitude, interfering with their personal life and overall well-being.
Tips to avoiding burnout:
- Work as part of a team rather than in an isolated situation
- Take time to “debrief” with fellow staffers handling similar cases (using these opportunities to discuss
feelings and issues related to this taxing work) - Avoid taking on too strenuous of a caseload. You’ll be no good to any of your clients if you’re too overwhelmed to serve them well.
- Develop a healthy support network.
- Make sure you schedule time to rest and relax.
- Keep a distinct separation between work and personal time.
Quality programs like those at La Paloma proactively address the issue of burnout among staff to lessen turnover and improve care for all.
Tags: Burnout, Compassion Fatigue, Dual Disorders, la paloma, Mental Health Professionals, Substance Abuse
