1. Compassion Fatigue Presented by Melissa Danan, LMSW Center Mental Health Consultant Flint/Genesee Job Corps Center

2. Information provided in this webinar was adapted from the Compassion Fatigue: Secondary Traumatic Stress Disorder, Burnout, Vicarious Trauma Participant Workbook, May, 2010 created by the National Child Welfare Resource Center for Adoption in collaboration with Spaulding for Children in Southfield, Michigan and Michigan State University School of Social Work. State child welfare agencies have been given permission to copy this curriculum for training of child welfare staff.

4. Learning Objectives 1.Define and indentify at least three compassion fatigue symptoms. 2.Articulate the possible precipitants to developing Compassion Fatigue. 3.Identify and assess Compassion Fatigue symptoms in self as well as in co-workers. 4.Practice two tools to combat Compassion Fatigue.

5. Compassion Fatigue Defined Compassion Fatigue, also referred to as Vicarious Trauma, is an emotional, physical, and spiritual response experienced when working with people that have experienced trauma.

6. Why Job Corps Staff are Especially Vulnerable to Compassion Fatigue 1.Trainee population 2.Fast paced environment 3.Limited resources 4.Our nature is to help 5.Unique workplace

8. Who is Affected? Those in the care-giving professions, e.g., doctors, social workers, nurses, clergymen, and child welfare practitioners. However, it is not limited to those in these professions.

9. Observable Symptoms of Compassion Fatigue in Job Corps Staff Biological/Physical

10. Psychological

11. Social

12. Compassion Fatigue Test Consider the following characteristics about your current situation. Click the number of your best response : 1 = Rarely/Never 2 = At Times 3 = Not sure 4 = Often 5 = Very Often

13. Circle Items: 1 - 8 10 - 13 17 - 26 and number 29

14. Results for Compassion Fatigue 26 or less is extremely low risk 27-30 is low risk 31-35 is moderate risk 36-40 is high risk 41 or greater is extremely high risk

15. Results for Burnout 19 or less is extremely low risk 20-24 is low risk 25-29 is moderate risk 30-42 is high risk 43 or greater is extremely high risk

16. “There are frequently many, many times when we think that evil is on the rampage, that evil seems to be going to have the last word. It doesn’t…Isn’t that exhilarating?...It may take a long time, but goodness in the end is vindicated.” Desmond Tutu South African Archbishop, present day

17. How to Combat Compassion Fatigue Micromanage your health – Sleep – Food – Social life – Exercise – Spiritual fulfillment – Time alone – Balance

18. What you can do as a Wellness Worker 1. Verbalize your observations 2. Organize support 3. Suggest self care or referral 4. Change settings 5. Model good coping 6. Balance

19. What Not to Do When Experiencing Compassion Fatigue Drink or use drugs Avoid making major decisions Avoid stating the obvious or complaining Taking on more work Dismissing your feelings

20. Gentry, E. (2002). “Compassion Fatigue: A Crucible of Transformation.” Journal of Trauma Practice, 1(3/4), 37-61. Figley, C. (1995) Compassion Fatigue: coping with secondary traumatic stress disorder in those who treat the traumatized. New York: Brunner/Mazel. Figley, C. (1988). Compassion Fatigue as secondary stress disorder: An overview. New York: Brunner/Mazel. National Child Welfare Resource Center for Adoption in Collaboration with Spaulding Center for Children. (2007) Compassion Fatigue: Secondary Traumatic Stress Disorder, Burnout, Vicarious Trauma. Michigan: National Child Welfare Resource Center for Adoption At Spaulding for Children.

22. Thank you!