The Weight of Responsibility

Veteran service providers bear a significant responsibility as they aid those who have served our nation. The nature of their work often exposes them to intense and traumatic stories, resulting in emotional strain. 

The demands of the profession, coupled with the emotional weigh of these stories can lead to secondary trauma, compassion fatigue, burnout, anxiety and even post-traumatic stress. 

Promoting a culture of self-care is essential to safeguarding the mental health of veteran service providers. Organizations should create environments that encourage open discussions about mental health, provide access to counseling services and promote a healthy work-life balance. 

Our National Veterans’ Training Institute developed the course Preventing and Healing Burnout in Veteran Service Providers to  address these challenges. This course is designed to provide practical strategies to help veteran service providers overcome burnout. We’ve also offered guidance on recognizing and addressing burnout and secondary trauma for veteran service providers.

We are proud to support veterans and military families with programs that help them secure jobs. In keeping with our commitment to serve those who have served us, we are also proud to support the mental wellness of veteran service providers and help them continue their invaluable work. 

Brandon Webb is the National Veterans’ Training Institute lead for the U.S. Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service.