The SJHR sector embodies a culture of selflessness, and this contributes significantly to burnout and compassion fatigue resulting in individuals scaling back on or fully disengaging from the sector. This not only impacts the individual’s career, self-esteem, and relationships, but the organization is also deprived of the individual’s experience and wisdom built up over years of participation in the sector. One of the most damaging consequences is that the loss of an individual to burnout or compassion fatigue deprives younger employees of a mentor, making them more likely to burn out themselves (3).
As Plyler put it: Instead of figuring out ways to take care of ourselves and each other, social justice groups lose brilliant and committed activists to burnout, disillusionment, and poor health. As a result, movements are plagued by fragmentation, lack of reflection and discussion, and ‘wheel reinventing’ that keeps them from moving their agendas forward (4). Therefore, to ensure the continued involvement and contribution of individuals within the SJHR movement, the protection of their mental well-being, and the sustainable impact of organisations, greater attention needs to be focused on mitigating compassion fatigue and burnout.
Dec 2022 | Collective Action Magazine
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