In a prior NIR Blog, “Secondary Traumatic Stress – The High Cost of Caring”, Burnout was referenced as a potential side effect of the emotional and physical pain and/or suffering brought on by Secondary Traumatic Stress.

For this Blog, Burnout will be the primary focus; Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. It occurs when one feels overwhelmed, emotionally drained, and, therefore, unable to meet the constant demands of life.

Burnout can lead to increased instances of compassion fatigue, which is a state of emotional and physical exhaustion, and can result in a diminished ability to empathize, or feel compassion for others. Both burnout and compassion fatigue can ultimately set interpreters up to be more susceptible to secondary traumatic stress.

How can we avoid the effects of Burnout?

• Self-Care
• Peer Care
• Professional Care

SELF-CARE comes in many forms, and successful self-care techniques can be as unique as the people who practice them.

Here are just a few self-care strategies that have proven successful: 

• Speaking up- Ask for a team when needed, turn down trigger assignments, etc.
• Private Vent- When possible, remove yourself from the situation to “blow off steam”.
• Self-Talk- Inwardly remind yourself that you are okay, and you will get through the situation. Positivity is important!
• Deep Breathing- Calms anxiety, relaxes the mind and body.
• Reading (or TV/Movies/Video Games)
• Meditation- alleviates stress, soothes the mental and physical “self”.
• Emotional Inventory- Evaluate your emotional responses to stimuli.
• Introspection- Focus on beliefs, values, and emotions.
• Massage- Lowers cortisol (“stress hormone”), while increasing “feel good” hormones such as serotonin and dopamine.
• Exercise- Stimulates the production of Endorphins, natural painkiller and mood-lifter.

PEER CARE can also be a very helpful tool to relieve the effects of Secondary Traumatic Stress:

• Interpreting Team – Open discussion (debrief)
• Colleagues – Confidential discussion (no identifying details)
• Peer Consultation Groups – Confidential discussion (no identifying details)

PROFESSIONAL CARE is also an option, in several formats, depending on the presenting symptoms:

• Counseling
• Group therapy
• Self-help groups

Resources for Professional Care:

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357
• Drug abuse hotline: www.help.org
• Locate a treatment facility: Findtreatment.gov
• National suicide prevention lifeline: 1-800-273-talk (8255)
  National helpline: 1-800-662-help (4357) Treatment referral and information, 24/7
• Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator Find treatment facilities confidentially and anonymously, 24/7: https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/

*Please remember to honor the NAD-RID Code of Professional Conduct (CPC) with regard to confidentiality, when discussing assignments with colleagues and/or Peer Consultation Groups! Names, locations, and identifying specifics should NOT be shared, in order to protect client confidentiality.

Hope you have enjoyed the contents of this blog!

If you are an interpreter in the Southeast Florida area, interested in freelance work and have availability days, nights, or weekends, we have a variety of assignments throughout the community (medical appointments, evening/overnight hospital shifts, day/evening college classes, school districts, legal, etc.). Please visit our website and submit our New Interpreter Questionnaire:

https://interpreterresource.com/freelance-interpreters/new-interpreter-questionnaire