Moral injury is the damage done to one’s conscience or moral compass when that person perpetrates, witnesses, or fails to prevent acts that transgress one’s own moral beliefs, values, or ethical codes of conduct. Moral Injury has occurred during the Covid-19 pandemic, and it also impinges on individuals, families, communities and organisations.
Moral Injury:
- leads to depression
- leads to distress
- leads to suicidality
- destroys trust
- impinges on family
Moral injury is damage to the Soul.
Moral injury is frequently the outcome of participation in War and warlike theatres of action by defence forces. It is also the outcome of abuse, rape, and violence – to the individual, or in the family. These are not the only things that cause soul wounds or moral injury.
Moral injury pivots with time
- moral codes evolve
- conscience becomes enlightened
- changes and transitions in life inform perspectives that form/inform new perspectives about old events (this is why forgiveness is important)
Moral injury must be acknowledged.
- PTSD is acknowledged
- the cost of trauma is acknowledged
- So we must acknowledge moral injury
Treatment of Moral Injury follows beliefs and needs:
Outlets for Acknowledging / Confronting Moral Injury
- Talk therapy
- religious dialogue
- Art therapy
- Writing
- Discussion
- talking circles
- spiritual gatherings
Moral injury is a burden in isolation
Moral emotions are the guardians of right order in society. Moral emotions are the searchlight in the heart pointing the way home.
Positive side of Moral Injury
- Post traumatic growth
- Improved psychological resilience
- Esteem, compassion, engagement
- Positive feelings
- Positive affection
- Positive gratitude
- Positive development of feelings and professional responsibility
- Positive sense of competence
- Positive self reflection
- Positive insight
Moral Resilience is fostered by
- Meaning making
- Fostering self awareness
- Self regulation
- Sense of ethical competence
Summary:
* Events witnessed transgresses deeply held moral beliefs
* An individual feels betrayed
* An individual witnesses others behaving in ways that are morally wrong
* This impacts the psychological, social, spiritual domains of the human person.
Moral Injury Strategies
For Organisations | For Individuals |
---|---|
Acknowledge stressors | Access material, take up self-learning |
Create a supportive culture | Take up stress reduction activities |
Support volunteers | Self-care activities: exercise and good eating |
Rotate staff through the coalface of injury | Self-care: maintain social connections; maintain rest habits |
Remove decisions from front-line workers | Support one another |
Rosters follow circadian rhythms | Seek help; there is no stigma |
Organised group debriefs for frontline workers | Participate in debrief sessions |