
Promoting Self-Compassion and Suicide Prevention in a Vicarious Trauma-Informed Workplace
Suicide remains a critical global health concern, demanding accessible interventions to safeguard those working with those who are traumatized, grieving, or struggling with a crisis in their life. Exposure to vicarious trauma is a reality for police, firefighters, emergency personnel, mental health professionals, and social workers, potentially leading to symptoms mirroring those they assist.
First responders and helping professionals have the opportunity to develop internal resources that can help them manage suicidal thoughts. These professionals may have feelings of thwarted belongingness—where they feel disconnected and don’t belong—and perceived burdensomeness—feeling like a burden or liability—both of which are strongly linked to suicidality. The research underscores that low self-compassion exacerbates these factors, highlighting the potential for enhancing self-compassion to reduce the risk of suicide (Bianchini & Bodell, 2024).
Professionals can develop symptoms similar to those they help, such as anxiety, hopelessness, isolation, low self-esteem, and depressive symptoms, all of which are associated with suicidal thinking. However, individuals with high levels of anxiety and depression and who practice self-compassion are less likely to engage in suicidal behaviors (Kelliher-Rabon et al., 2018). Self-compassion mediates the link between negative affect and suicidal ideation (Hasking et al., 2019). A vicarious, trauma-informed workplace acknowledges these challenges and the need to support these professionals.
Can self-compassion be the difference between life and death?
Self-compassion involves directing kindness inwardly. It is a crucial aspect of addressing suicide risk among first responders and helping professionals. It can be nurtured through internal resources that empower them to navigate challenges with self-kindness and understanding. So, what are these internal resources? Alongside resilience, creativity, problem-solving skills, mindfulness, self-awareness, and a positive outlook, several other internal resources contribute to fostering self-compassion:
- Coping Strategies: Techniques like relaxation, emotional regulation, and seeking social support can help manage difficult emotions.
- Spirituality: beliefs and practices that foster self-acceptance during tough times.
- Adaptability: Being open to change enhances perspective and supports self-compassion amidst challenges.
- Sense of Purpose: Clarity in life’s meaning strengthens resilience and sustains self-compassion through setbacks.
- Emotional Intelligence: Understanding and empathizing with difficult emotions aids in responding to challenges with self-compassion.
- Appreciating Social Support: Strong relationships bolster feelings of connection and support.
- Prioritizing Physical Health: Exercise, rest, and nutrition bolster mental well-being, facilitating self-compassionate responses to challenges.
Best Practices for Fostering a Self-Compassionate Workplace
Although there are various strategies to prevent suicide among professionals, agencies and organizations can implement these practices:
- Cultural Shifts: Foster a workplace culture that prioritizes wellness and emotional well-being.
- Leadership Responsibilities: Equip leaders with skills to model and support self-compassionate behaviors among supervisors and teams.
- Peer Trust: Cultivate trust and collaboration among team members to create a supportive environment.
- Holistic Approach: Embrace holistic self-care strategies encompassing mental, emotional, and physical well-being organization-wide.
Challenges in Vicarious Trauma Prevention Efforts
As a keynote speaker and trainer on compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma, I have learned much from the attendees of my programs. Here are the challenges that they bring up regarding their efforts to prevent vicarious trauma in the workplace:
- Insufficient prioritization of vicarious trauma-informed practices in workplace culture.
- Lack of clear guidelines on stress reduction strategies and protective factors.
- Limited financial resources are allocated for vicarious trauma-informed training and support.
- High turnover rates necessitate frequent vicarious trauma training.
- Employees’ inadequate self-care skills and uncertainty about where to seek help.
- The emotional strain is heightened by current events and societal issues.
In conclusion, creating a workplace that embraces self-compassion involves addressing challenges in vicarious trauma prevention and implementing comprehensive strategies that support employee well-being at every level of the organization.
Barbara is a leading authority and best-selling author on managing burnout, secondary traumatic stress, compassion fatigue, and vicarious trauma. As a nationally recognized keynote speaker, she motivates audiences to build their resilience and create work-life balance. Her programs help leaders and teams manage workplace chronic stressors and get over burnout at work.
Barbara's newest book, "But I Didn't Say Goodbye: Helping Families After a Suicide", is available now on Amazon - https://amzn.to/2FwS6JI
• Three weeks prior to giving birth to triplets, her father died by suicide. Her story was featured in the Emmy award winning documentary, Fatal Mistakes, Families Shattered by Suicide narrated by Mariette Hartley. Many employees are grieving personal loss. She offers programs for leaders on lost productivity and performance while managing grief at work.
• As a sought-after keynote speaker who has presented to over 500 groups since 1991, including corporations, state and national associations and non-profit organizations, Barbara offers work-life balance strategies for leaders to implement right away. With clarity and humor, her speaking engagements are designed to give audiences powerful and practical strategies of work-life balance, wellbeing, and self-care that can be implemented immediately.
• Barbara is a Board-Certified Expert in Traumatic Stress and Diplomate with the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress. She received a Bachelor of Science in psychology and a Master of Arts degree in community health, with a concentration in thanatology, both from Brooklyn College.
Email: BarbaraRubel@BarbaraRubel.com
Website: www.barbararubel.com