Compassion Fatigue for Behavioral Health Workers

This course is intended for behavioral health workers who wish to learn more about how experiencing traumatic events, either directly or indirectly, as a first responder reacting to an emergency or crisis situation may impact their professional and personal wellbeing. Taught through a behavioral health (mental health and substance use) lens, the instructor will incorporate lecture, PowerPoint and activities to satisfy the following course objectives:

1. Define and discuss the impact of trauma, vicarious trauma, and burnout on professional and personal wellbeing
2. Identify compassion fatigue and burnout warning signs
3. Describe individualized self-care and resiliency strategies to mitigate the damaging impacts of trauma and associated stress responses
4. Discuss implementing systematic change and support; policies and procedures