The Cost of Caring: Compassion Fatigue In Education

Over the last few days, I have noticed postings in the professional groups that are evidence of a growing problem in education.

Compassion fatigue.

One post, from a social worker, who loved her clients, but found the job duties and demands draining was heartbreaking. She had chosen to prioritize herself and her wellbeing and had applied to and been offered a new job. Better pay, better benefits, closer to home. Better for her in every way. Yet she was devastated that she was going to be leaving her clients alone. She was facing burnout, which is in the same category as compassion fatigue, and her concern was for her clients.

In another post, a counselor was venting about how she was do depleted by the end of the day all she could do was scroll through social media. Which then triggered her mommy guilt and shame about all the things she wasn’t doing at home. These feelings are all too common and do immense damage to us as professionals, but also as humans.

The concept of compassion resilience as a remedy to the burnout educators are feeling as well as the pain they witness and potentially internalize while supporting students brings hope and healing.

Check out The Cost of Caring below and take me up on my challenge to connect me with a leader in your school community who can offer support from the top down or by taking care of your self with my new Beating Burnout program, which kicks off soon.