Long-standing underfunding resulting in burnout, moral injury among postsecondary mental health counsellors: Opinion

Opinion

In a recent editorial for Inside Higher Ed, Philip J Rosenbaum (Haverford College) and Richard E Webb (formerly of Haverford) discuss the challenges that postsecondary mental health counsellors are facing in the workplace. They note that many counsellors are experiencing “moral injury,” which can be defined as feeling disconnected or alienated from personal ethics or beliefs. The authors write that due to the combination of moral injury, understaffing, and insufficient funding, institutions may set arbitrary session limits, use a less impactful therapy model, or have third party providers provide care. This results in feelings of moral injury among counsellors who feel obliged to be there for students but are unable to fulfil these expectations. To address this situation Rosenbaum and Webb acknowledge the importance of increased funding and other resources and additionally encourage postsecondary mental health counsellors to be strong advocates for their patients and their centres.

Inside Higher Ed (Acct. Req.)