This archive report was first published on 10 October 2019.
On October 10, 2019, mental health professionals were reminded of the importance of self-care in their line of work.
According to Dr. Joseph Omollo, a clinical psychologist, counsellors are trained to engage clients with empathic understanding while remaining objective and professional. However, they are also human and often get affected by the suffering of their clients.
"Vicarious trauma may arise from a counsellor sympathising with the patient and thereby secondarily becoming symptomatic," Dr. Omollo adds.
Nancy Nyambura, a psychologist with medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres, shares a personal experience of how working with victims of terrorism in Mogadishu had an impact on her. "After listening to (stories of) gunshots and bombings, it began affecting my sense of safety and security. I began having vivid dreams which were playing out some of the trauma that my clients had shared," she says.
While vicarious trauma is a concern for social workers, it is not the only factor that contributes to their mental health issues. Burnout, another form of work-related stress, is also a significant concern.
However, with the right mechanisms in place for managing vicarious trauma, social workers are further equipped as caregivers in practising their vocation.
