Topic 1: What is Compassion Fatigue?

Welcome to Lesson 1 on Compassion Fatigue. Compassion fatigue, often referred to as the ‘cost of caring,’ is an emotional and physical exhaustion that occurs when helping professionals are exposed to the suffering of others over prolonged periods. For peer support workers, this is particularly relevant as they often provide emotional support and guidance to individuals facing challenging life circumstances.

Key Concepts:

• Derived from the Latin word ‘co-suffering,’ compassion fatigue is the emotional residue or strain of exposure to working with those suffering from the consequences of traumatic events.

• It can manifest in physical, emotional, and cognitive ways, leading to exhaustion, decreased empathy, and feelings of helplessness.

• Example: A peer support worker might find themselves feeling emotionally drained and disengaged after consistently supporting individuals with severe trauma. 

“Compassion is that which makes the heart of the good move at the pain of others. It crushes and destroys the pain of others; thus, it is called compassion. It is called compassion because it shelters and embraces the distressed.”

– The Buddha​