Every day, across the country, countless social workers, therapists, healthcare providers, case managers, educators, dedicate their lives to helping others to heal. But what happens when the act of caring becomes a source of emotional injury?
A growing body of research on Secondary Traumatic Stress—also known as compassion fatigue or vicarious trauma—reveals a sobering truth: the emotional fallout from helping others can be just as damaging as direct trauma. Secondary traumatic stress (STS) is the emotional residue left behind when professionals are exposed to the suffering of others. Though they may not have lived through the trauma themselves, those who listen to and absorb stories of pain often experience symptoms nearly identical to post-traumatic stress disorder. These may include intrusive thoughts, sleep disturbances, emotional exhaustion, and even physical ailments such as headaches, stomach problems, or chronic fatigue.
Unlike burnout, which develops gradually through overwork, STS can occur suddenly—sometimes after a single particularly painful case. It often creeps in when helpers empathize deeply and absorb the sorrow of the individuals they serve, carrying that invisible weight into their personal lives. Anyone working closely with trauma survivors, especially children, is vulnerable. Those with high empathy or unresolved personal trauma face even greater risk. In today’s political climate and amidst ongoing financial cuts, many providers are overwhelmed with caseloads they can’t adequately support. On one hand, essential resources are lacking; on the other, existing services are saturated and unable to take on more clients. This reality deepens providers’ own experiences of stress, hopelessness, and grief, as they face the painful gap between the needs they witness and the support they can offer.
The signs of STS are often mistaken for everyday stress—irritability, lack of motivation, emotional detachment, or fatigue. But when ignored, these symptoms can lead to job dissatisfaction, absenteeism, high turnover, and mental health crises. Some professionals begin to withdraw, missing appointments or avoiding certain clients altogether. Others may carry guilt for feeling drained or needing time off. The impact isn’t limited to the individual. Secondary trauma can seep into entire organizations, lowering morale, straining teams, and ultimately compromising the quality of care provided to the very children and families most in need of stability and support.
Fortunately, there are ways to protect and restore those who care for others. Experts emphasize that the first step is naming the problem. Recognizing that secondary trauma is a common occupational hazard helps reduce stigma and encourages open dialogue. Supportive supervision models—particularly reflective supervision—give professionals a safe space to process their emotional responses to challenging work. Practices such as the “Pause–Reset–Nourish” framework can also help caregivers check in with themselves, regulate stress, and reconnect with joy, purpose, and resilience. This daily habit might include breathing exercises, grounding routines, movement, humor, or simply pausing to remember a meaningful moment at work.
Self-care is essential, not indulgent. Whether it’s journaling, getting adequate sleep, spending time with loved ones, engaging in spiritual practices, or setting healthy boundaries, these acts are vital to preserving long-term wellbeing. At the organizational level, policies must reflect a trauma-informed culture. This means manageable caseloads, flexibility, peer support, and space for decompression after crisis events. The health of those who care for others must be seen as a priority, not an afterthought.
One of the most amazing things in life is that when we genuinely support others, we also end up helping ourselves. But for those who help today, that compensation must be intentional, supported, and protected. The cost of caregiving is real, but so is the power of collective compassion. If we want to continue healing the wounded, If we are to continue healing the wounded, we must start by healing the healers.