It is important to understand moral injury and how to deal with it as we come out of the pandemic and face an uncertain future:
- Moral injury involves the psychological, social, and spiritual impact of events on people with strong values who work in high-stakes situations when they have to act in ways that conflict with those values.
- Situations in which people experience moral injury include those where a person has to turn away patients despite them suffering because of staffing shortages or overcrowded facilities; having to care for dying patients who are isolated from their loved ones; and being prevented from speaking the truth about what is happening in their organization.
- Symptoms of moral injury include strong feelings of guilt and/or shame, anger, contempt, self-criticism, and loss of trust in others.
- Understanding moral injury can help workers realize that they’re not failing because they don’t have the skills to cope.
- When someone recognizes that they may be experiencing moral injury, this can help reduce confusion and validate their feelings.
- Helping people reconnect with their values can help re-energize and strengthen them.
