Have observed too much of this lately
where staff deal with such tragic violence,
domestic abuse and mental health issues
their staple diet on a daily basis
When someone presents a lesser issue
they struggle to engage or empathise
their emotions drained by drastic drama
not their fault but makes one wonder
how they are coping outside work hours
if they sleep, guess their home life suffers
secondary trauma drains by stealth
am quite sure it affects their health
Regular debriefing or close supervision
might help but doubt their employers
consider it. The damage far reaching,
burn out means more time off ….
legal aid, welfare agencies, local councils anyone directly dealing with those
trying to exist 45% below the poverty line!
Maybe their energy might be spent advocating for more realistic payments
… instead of attempting to patch up the impossible …
aroused 
This a very thoughtful post. I agree with what you so beautifully depict – self care is so important for those who are in the service of caring for others.
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indeed and someone has requested I post more on this topic when time permits …
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Such a conundrum! I guess too much of anything …even empathy…is not good.
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it’s all good but can take it’s toll on the carer’s health …
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It sure can! Been there….
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glad to hear it, I hadn’t detected any in your posts so was surprised if I had missed it 🙂
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If just by reading such stories we feel so sad and disturbing. How on earth would one face this day in and day out?
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one of the things that caught my attention during my work in Auckland, domestic violence is openly discussed though not everyone if forthcoming as it is a stigma. who wants to be seen as weak and needy. poverty is the root of much abuse due to not being able to break a vicious cycle. i get compassion fatigue at work, some days i need to crawl under my blanket and just be still, then let words help me make sense of it all
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Tsk tsk…this is so true Kate…whether these people are paid enough or not, the effect in their well being is still the same…they get burned out…we all get burned out.
I remember back in my academe days when i was still teaching. I dealt with students and young people who’s family can’t even barely make both ends meet and my heart bleeds for these students who struggled financially to finish school, at times i tried to even help, but little did i realize that it too is taking a toll on my well being..
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yes professionals need regular support and supervision to survive the onslaught … glad you are looking after you now 🙂
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You are so right, Kate! Excellent poem and subject matter!
Instead of continuing to “patch” why aren’t things made better…which is to everyone’s benefit in the long run?
Everyone needs support. But especially those people whose lives/jobs are devoted to supporting others.
(((HUGS)))
PS…How you be?
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I’ve met a lot of burned out health professionals. What they see stresses them out, and they’d rather be apathetic. They need more pay, but that line of work won’t do it. Being on the poverty line isn’t that bad if you’re on aid because it’s a guaranteed paycheck with benefits, like health and food stamps, food pantry and free groceries from certain chains..
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maybe in your country but these people in Australia cannot survive so far below the poverty line … the health professionals here are paid more than well enough but they don’t have enough real support …
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Was reading a fascinating article yesterday on empathy and its dangers to health. Timely, and i agree time for a revolution in dealing with the problem.
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band aid stuff is useless with so many living so far below the poverty line, where is the humanity in that!
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None, same here, some days it’s a war zone of brokenness.
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what a wonderful use of words “a war zone of brokenness” and a most apt description .. finally moved today, yeh!
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nobody really wants to or needs to know the process and photos of aussie bush, you’ve seen it 😉
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It has to be exhausting dealing with trauma all day. The body and mind would certainly start twitching.
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yes not fair on anyone and I doubt they are getting the care and debriefing they so desperately need …
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Yes. So many people affected – directly or indirectly by the effects of the stresses of life.
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well said Gary. people are pulled this way and that with no effective outcome …
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