Logo courtesy of SARC

By Chantal Wagner

SARC providing virtual support for front line workers during COVID-19 pandemic

Apr 7, 2020 | 4:23 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB -The Southeastern Alberta Sexual Assault Response Committee is hosting a virtual online group for front line workers who may be experiencing compassion fatigue during the COVID-19 pandemic.

SARC Executive Director Christina Johnson says the online group is a preventative strategy so essential workers can have support as they continue to work.

She says for a lot of individuals, this is an uncertain time and a new experience.

So SARC is taking what they know from their daily high stress and high trauma job to bring wellness strategies to other front line workers.

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Johnson says compassion fatigue is the cost of caring and it’s quite common in helping professions.

“We see it across the board, but we see it specifically in instances where there’s high-stress high trauma in work environments and where staff are constantly exposed. So what happens with compassion fatigue is two things. We can either become enmeshed with our clients or we can disengage with our clients.”

She goes on to say, “It’s an unhealthy amount of caring so we’re bringing that home with us and we can’t let go of that experience, we can’t let go of what’s happening, or we can see exactly the opposite happening which is that disengagement and we stop caring, we start to care less and start to blame and judge the individual that you’re supporting.”

Johnson also discussed vicarious trauma, where she says helping professionals become traumatized by listening to the stories of individuals who’ve experienced trauma or have experienced things based on COVID-19.

She says their virtual group will be about teaching skills and providing support for front line workers.

And they’ll learn about self-care plans to add in their day.

She adds helping professionals often experience compassion fatigue, and that’s normal.

“As per a COVID response, we started to think about who’s caring and helping and it’s really quite a broad spectrum for essential workers. So we got doctors, nurses, healthcare professionals, social workers, therapists, Skip the Dishes, and grocery store workers. Everybody is exposed and we got layers of exposure so we’re hearing people’s stories, we’re seeing their stress.”

The virtual group will take place on the Zoom meeting app.

The first weekly meeting is Wednesday, April 8 from 7 pm-8 pm.

You can register by emailing aimee@mhsarc.com or phone SARC’s direct line at 403-548-2717, leave a voicemail, and staff will return the call.

They can also be contacted on their website.