Dialogues and other resources on Self-Care for Human Rights Practitioners

Human rights workers are often so focused on how they can help care for others that they forget to care for themselves. They can be subject to burnout, compassion fatigue, or vicarious trauma. But through self care, those problems are preventable. To learn more about those terms or to share how you deal with these issues, participate in our three-part dialogue on Self-Care:

• Self-Care Dialogue Part 1/3

Human rights workers and advocates are often subject to exposure to distressing situations directly and indirectly. From those working directly with survivors of human rights abuses to those working indirectly on human rights abuse issues, the need for taking care of one’s self is extremely important. However, before delving into ways in which one can take care of themselves, it is important to discuss a few key terms to help guide the direction of this discourse. Though much of the literature on self-care, compassion fatigue, and burnout speaks to the experiences of those working directly with people, many of the themes that emerge from existing information seems relevant and transferable to other individuals working less directly or indirectly in the area of human rights.

• Self-Care Dialogue Part 2/3

While vicarious trauma seems very specific to those working directly with traumatized individuals, human rights workers and advocates exposed to the stories of these individuals should take care in recognizing any symptoms that may result from this exposure. Of course, those working with highly traumatized individuals are clearly more susceptible to vicarious trauma, however other human rights workers and advocates should make an effort to be extremely self-aware of their own sense of well-being and if the work they are doing is having any detrimental effects on their well-being. Additionally, human rights workers not directly engaged in contact with survivors of trauma can also be subject to changes in their cognitive schemas as they struggle to make meaning of all the distressing and disturbing information they come across which may challenge many elements of their worldview.

• Self-Care Dialogue Part 3/3
  

What does self-care entail? Self-care entails a myriad of strategies designed to address stressful working conditions as well as to ensure more sustainable well-being. Suggested prevention methods for vicarious trauma include: maintaining social networks, self-awareness, physical exercise, good eating habits, developing positive coping mechanisms, limiting work to the workplace, and engaging in social justice activities as a means of addressing anger (Sinclair, 2006). The Headington Institute also identified other strategies of self-care which include engaging in reflective and creative activities, and creating a sense of balance (Headington Institute).

Other resources:

• Self-Care: Caring For Your Most Valuable Resource