CBS Interviews Social Workers: Child Abuse Underreported During COVID

I am very sensitive to the fact that every person has a different view of COVID and are at different stages with their feelings and thoughts. I am not here to argue any of those concerns. What I want to highlight is the number of underreported cases of child abuse going on. On May 5, CBS aired a 4 minute clip of interviews with social workers who explain what is going on in their world during COVID.

The incidences of child abuse are way higher than deaths from COVID right now, so with precautions, I am hoping and praying that schools open on time and that children can come back to their safe places. Yes, it's good in many cases for parents to choose whether to have their children take online courses or go to school in person, but keep in mind, some parents of abused children will choose to keep their children home to protect the abuser, whether it's themselves, or someone else in the household. As the risk for COVID decreases, the risk for child abuse continues to increase the longer children remain at home all day due to stress on the family, or history of previous abuse.

The purpose of this post is to increase awareness, so we can all sound the alarm and report suspected child abuse. If you suspect child abuse, please call the child abuse hotline at 1-800- 800-5556.
Please take four minutes to watch this CBS clip: Child Abuse Underreported During COVID
Indiana Department of Child Services website: Indiana DCS Website

Stages of Grief during COVID-19

Something that has been on my mind a lot this past couple of weeks during the Coronavirus outbreak is the stages of grief. They aren't only something people go through when they lose a loved one, they can also be something people go through when there is a sudden loss of control, change in schedule without warning, severe illness, or job loss. I thought it might be helpful to review them for anyone wanting to know what they are. The best way to help someone going through these is to be supportive, even when we are struggling a bit ourselves. I think of my students who have never even heard of stages of grief. This may be helpful for them to know, so they can see they are not alone, realize this maybe normal, or so they can understand what their parent/s are going through if they've experienced a sudden job loss due to the virus interruption.

Stages of Grief  based on the Kubler-Ross model of grief
(Individuals may not experience all stages, and they may return to previous stages at times)

1. Denial: "This can't be happening."  This displays itself when a person does not accept a loss or the situation.

2. Anger: "Why is this happening to me?" When the loss is realized, a person may be come angry at themselves or others. It's normal to say, "It's not fair" or to place blame, "This is all ______'s fault."

3. Bargaining: "I will do anything to change this."  A person may try to change or delay the loss. (In the case of COVID-19 we all want to change the situation as fast as possible)

4. Depression: "What's the point of going on?"  A person may self-isolate and spend time crying and grieving. It is often a precursor to acceptance because the realization that a loss has occurred has set in.

5. Acceptance: "It's going to be OK."  Finally a person accepts their loss. He or she understands the situation logically, and come to terms emotionally with the situation.

Source: Therapist Aid LLC  TherapistAid.com

                         

What is Compassion Fatigue and Empathy?

When I first heard the phrase, "compassion fatigue", I thought, "yes, I think I have that!" However, when I looked up the definition, I thought to myself, I only have it partially. Here is the definition: Compassion fatigue, also known as secondary traumatic stress, is a condition characterized by a gradual lessening of compassion over time." It's caused by listening to others' stories of trauma and experiencing stress taken on from the student (or client if you are a therapist). I don't agree that my compassion lessons over time. I just take on the students' feelings and emotions as I listen to a lot of stories in a short amount of time.  

I kept looking for the right phrasing of what I was experiencing.  I was speaking with a student on the topic and she said that people who experience others' feelings deeply are called "Empaths," so I looked up that definition and this is what it said, "Empaths are highly sensitive individuals, who have a keen ability to sense what people around them are thinking and feeling. Psychologists may use the term empath to describe a person that experiences a great deal of empathy, often to the point of taking on the pain of others at their own expense."

OK, so I have part of that definition too. I am sensitive and keen to what students are thinking and feeling and have great empathy, but I don't take on others' pain. My issue is that I hear so many stories in a short period of time that I am totally exhausted when I get home from work. 

While searching online about this condition, I found this well written article (short read) that expresses my thoughts also! Take a read. The most important take away is to take care of yourself (myself!) and be aware when you (I) need a break or a mental health day!

Empathy and Compassion Fatigue