Videos
Moral Injury (MI) is a type of psychological stress response. This response may include feelings of guilt, shame, anger, betrayal and the loss of self that may arise from exposure to potentially morally injurious events (PMIEs.) PMIEs may be the result of an action the person perpetrates, fails to prevent, or witnesses. If left unaddressed, these events can lead to MI.
While studies of MI began with military personnel and Veterans, researchers and mental health professionals are now highlighting that PSP likely also experience MI. PSP may experience MI due to regular exposure to distressing situations in which they may not be able to uphold their values, prevent harm, or keep people safe. These difficulties may intensify in the COVID-19 context given the unprecedented size and scope of the pandemic and the on-the-ground challenges it continues to pose.
June 10, 2021.
Session Objectives:
- Understand what moral injury is and how it differs from other responses to stress and trauma
- Learn some examples of potentially morally injurious events (PMIEs) reported in research on MI in public safety settings
- Learn about the mental health outcomes associated with MI and how to recognize them in yourself and others
- Learn practical techniques and approaches to address the potential mental health impacts of PMIEs and to prevent moral injury, whether you’re on the frontline or in a leadership role.
Presented by:
Fardous Hosseiny is the Deputy CEO and Vice President of Research and Public Policy at the Centre of Excellence on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Related Mental Health Conditions (CoE). Previously, Fardous was the interim National Chief Executive Officer and the National Director of Research and Public Policy, at the Canadian Mental Health Association.
His research focuses on strategic policy issues related to mental health system transformation, parity legislation, substance use and addiction and mental health for newcomers and underrepresented groups.