Vicarious trauma: Part 1 – What is vicarious trauma?

About this episode

This episode discusses vicarious trauma and its impact on healthcare workers, featuring insights from Dr Brian Solts.

Working to support the wellbeing of others can be immensely rewarding, and a real motivator for why we work in the health sector. But over time, exposure to the suffering of others - particularly those in mental distress and at the risk of suicide - can impact our own wellbeing and how we feel, including experiencing vicarious trauma. In 2025, NHS Sussex developed training that looks at the different ways we can keep ourselves and our colleagues safe. The training provides an overview of vicarious trauma and is made up of three complimentary sections, looking at different aspects of personal resilience, workplace wellbeing and reflective practice. In the first of these podcasts, Dr Brian Solts looks at at various definitions of vicarious trauma and identifies the key groups that may be at risk. He reviews the support needs of staff in roles than might blend into the background of healthcare provision, the 'invisible staff groups', and how vicarious trauma has the potential to bear its mark over time - in terms of emotional, psychological and physiological impacts. Disclaimer: Thank you for listening to this Royal College of Psychiatrists CPD eLearning podcast. This podcast…

People in this episode

Host: Royal College of Psychiatrists

Guest: Dr Brian Solts

Topics covered

• vicarious trauma
• wellbeing
• mental health
• healthcare support
• resilience

Keywords

• vicarious trauma
• mental distress
• health sector
• workplace wellbeing
• support needs

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: NHS Sussex, Royal College of Psychiatrists

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