Secure your own oxygen mask first.
courtesy of mlphotography.co.uk
The number of reports of traumatic events, including serious sexual misconduct, to internal investigators is on the rise.
The importance of self-care before helping others cannot be underestimated for investigators dealing with reported traumatic incidents, to mitigate risk of vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue.
Compassion fatigue is a combination of physical, emotional and spiritual depletion associated with caring for others in significant emotional pain and physical distress and can lead to: a loss of empathy, emotional exhaustion, numbness of feelings, physical fatigue, distancing, a loss of patience and irritability.
I am sure that many of you reading this recognise at least one if not more of the symptoms listed above. It is not only unhealthy for the investigator but also results in the relevant parties not getting the best service when you the investigator are not the best version of yourself.
There are several factors that increase the risk, both personally - such as a history of trauma, suffering a loss in the last year and lack of support- and professionally – such as a high trauma caseload, lack of training, lack of supervision and unhealthy perceptions of the role.
So what can we do?
The first step is recognising that these symptoms are an occupational challenge and that investigators require coping strategies to mitigate the risk. Regulated professions dealing with the impact of trauma have always recognised the risk and taken steps to mitigate it. It is time that internal investigators take a step back and think about how they might mitigate the risk.
Be aware of your own needs, limits, emotions and resources. Find a good balance of work and play and do something bigger than just you – team sports, hobbies with others outside of your profession, or simply connecting with nature – pretty much anything that prevents you from ruminating on the cases and allows your mind to do something completely different. At fast approaching 60 years old I still play team sports (Masters Rugby League - that s me in the middle!) and enjoy Pilates. It’s about getting out there and doing something within your own ability- even if you’re not very good at it!!
Look after yourselves please and look after each other. Create a workplace where it is natural to talk openly about how things are affecting you and create space to do something about it.
Ask yourself – what am I going to do today/this week to mitigate the risks AND make sure you do it.
Joint practitioner and psychologist training sessions to investigators are available at info@intersolglobal.com
Mick Confrey
Intersol Global
