The Hidden Epidemic: Compassion Fatigue Among Health Workers

You care for others every day, but who checks in on you?​ Compassion fatigue is real, and it’s more common than we talk about.​ 

This isn’t about weakness, it’s about the weight of constant care.​ 

It’s called an epidemic, but it’s not spoken about enough.

Compassion fatigue creeps in quietly. You start to feel emotionally drained, more irritable, less connected. The work still matters, but it feels harder to care the way you used to.​

If you’re in a caring profession, you’re likely to feel it at some point. That doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong, it means you’re human.​

How to spot and soothe compassion fatigue:​

• Notice changes in your mood, energy or sleep patterns.​

• Talk about it, shame thrives in silence.​

• Find pockets of time for rest, even in a busy rota.​

• Practice emotional boundaries without guilt.​

• Connect with peers who ‘get it’.​

  
  

• Need to feel heard? You’re not alone.​ #HealthCareHeroes #CompassionFatigue #MentalWealth​

Make Your Self-care Inevitable. ​

Recommended reading:​ Emotional Agility by Susan David – helpful for understanding how to navigate emotional stress in a healthy way.​