Workforce Development and Capacity

The Impact of Secondary Exposure to Trauma on New Hampshire’s Workforce

This report outlines strategies to address secondary trauma exposure in New Hampshire’s behavioral health workforce. It examines the impact of increasing caseloads of clients dealing with both mental health and substance use disorders on staff, leading to secondary trauma and burnout. The report identifies key sources of trauma, such as substance-related deaths and victimization, and highlights challenges like lack of resources and support.

Additionally, it provides recommendations for individuals and organizations, emphasizing the importance of self-care, peer support, and systemic changes to mitigate occupational burnout and improve workforce retention​.

This research brief explores strategies to improve substance use workforce retention by addressing secondary exposure to client trauma. It reviews the impact of trauma on behavioral health professionals, identifies terms and symptoms associated with secondary exposure, and discusses effective strategies.

In addition, the brief provides recommendations for individuals and organizations to prevent and reduce compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma, and occupational burnout. 

The Thriving in the Workplace Pilot, which involved two New hampshire SUD treatment facilities, focused on enhancing wellness of behavioral health professionals who are exposed to secondary trauma through their work. It encouraged self-protection, professional planning, boundary setting, and organizational awareness to recognize and address secondary exposure to trauma.

Analyzing 5 years of research (2016-2020), this report compiles innovative practices for remote internships in clinical settings. The aim of this research was to identify effective methodologies and gather varied experiences.

Given the rural makeup of the New Hampshire, it is vital to discover effective practices to support students at all degree levels.