UNRAVELLING THE HIDDEN COSTS OF COMPASSION FATIGUE IN MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW ON CAUSES AND INTERVENTIONS

Abstract

Compassion Fatigue (CF) is a serious problem that is increasingly being addressed among mental health professionals, given its significant impact on personal well-being and quality of care for clients. This study aimed to systematically review the existing literature on the causes and effective interventions to address CF among mental health professionals. The search method was conducted through the major academic database Scopus using the keywords ‘Compassion Fatigue’ AND therapist OR counselor OR helper OR ‘mental health professional’ Of the 216 articles identified, 18 studies met the inclusion criteria and were analysed in depth. Results showed that the main causes of CF include chronic exposure to client trauma, excessive workload, lack of social support, and lack of effective coping skills. Various interventions have been identified as effective measures to reduce CF, including coping skills training through self-care, supervisory support, employee wellbeing programmes, and mindfulness practices. However, few studies have addressed the implementation of these strategies specifically with school counselors, who often face high stress in assisting students with complex emotional cases. This research highlights the importance of expanding the study and implementation of tailored interventions for school counselors to ensure their readiness to deal with work stress and maintain personal well-being, ultimately improving the quality of services to students.