Moral Injury
Moral injury is the deep emotional and psychological distress that arises when we witness, carry out or experience acts that violate our core moral values.
My Churchill Fellowship in 2016, Transforming Trauma: Moral Injury and the Arts with military veterans, families and communities, set me on a journey of moral discovery which is personal, political and spiritual.
I am currently writing A Practitioners Guide to Moral Injury: How to sustain yourself and others in morally challenging contexts. This book will be published by Routledge in 2026. I have written 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. This work is being evaluated and developed in partnership with the International Centre for Moral Injury at Durham University.
Introduction to Moral Injury
“A thought-provoking and inspiring session with an expert who has worked extensively in this field. A safe space was created to learn and explore ideas in. I left the training with much to think about. The difference between moral distress and moral injury. Navigating the differences and similarities with burnout and considering where moral agency lies in doing or having to do things which go against our own moral compass.” Participant, 2024
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 increasingly recognised across multiple professions, including social work, homelessness services, academia and the criminal justice system.
This 2 hour workshop will
Introduce participants to moral injury and how it presents in workplace contexts.
Present emerging research in this field and offer guideposts for practice which support prevention and moral repair.
Invite attendees to consider what the concept of moral injury means for us as helping professionals.
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.