I have published and presented on moral injury and in 2022, established a social enterprise, Moral Injury Partnership, with Sophie Redlin and Simon Edwards, two other Churchill fellows, offering retreats for frontline professionals impacted by moral injury and burnout, which is being evaluated in partnership with the International Centre for Moral Injury at Durham University.
Introduction to Moral Injury Workshop.
Moral injury is the deep emotional and psychological distress caused by “perpetrating, failing to prevent, bearing witness to or learning about acts that transgress deeply held moral beliefs” (Litz et al, 2009), often exacerbated by a sense of betrayal by someone in authority.
Understanding of moral injury evolved in the military context when soldiers were unable to reconcile acts committed with their personal moral codes. The covid pandemic increased awareness of its relevance to healthcare staff and all who work on the human frontline. In a recent survey of doctors by the BMA, 78% said the terms moral injury or moral distress resonated with their experiences. Moral injury is being increasingly recognised across multiple professions, including social work, academia and mental health.
This 2 hour workshop will
Introduce participants to moral injury and how it presents in workplace contexts.
Present emerging practice and research in this field and offer guideposts for practice which support recovery and moral repair.
Invite attendees to consider what the concept of moral injury means for us as a helping profession.
Consider how using moral injury as a framework might stengthen our ability to work holistically and compassionately, and help us look after ourselves and guard our own moral wellbeing.
Who is it for?
This will be of of interest to anyone working in frontline services.
