Vicarious trauma: Part 2 – workplace wellbeing

Vicarious trauma: Part 2 – workplace wellbeing

From CPD eLearning talks to... by Royal College of Psychiatrists

May 19, 2026 · 17 min

About this episode

This episode discusses the impact of vicarious trauma on workplace wellbeing and strategies to support colleagues in the health sector.

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 this session, Liz Tucker and Patrick Haywood discuss the role of the workplace in addressing issues to do with vicarious trauma. They look at how the signs of vicarious trauma may show up in frontline roles, when to act as a manager and provide useful tools that can be implemented to help a colleague who may be struggling with vicarious trauma. Disclaimer: Thank you for listening to this Royal College of Psychiatrists CPD eLearning podcast. This podcast provides information, not advice. The content in this podcast is provided for…

People in this episode

Host: Royal College of Psychiatrists

Guests: Liz Tucker, Patrick Haywood

Topics covered

  • vicarious trauma
  • workplace wellbeing
  • mental health
  • personal resilience
  • reflective practice

Keywords

  • vicarious trauma
  • workplace wellbeing
  • mental distress
  • personal resilience
  • reflective practice
  • NHS Sussex
  • health sector

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: NHS Sussex

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