Thought-provoking conversations to inform our lives as Upstanders
Held on the second Friday of the month, every second month, each Conversation focuses on a topic affecting contemporary society. Feel uplifted, more informed, more engaged and and better equipped to speak on the issues.
Coming up: “Empathy Fatigue” – Friday 08 May, 10.00am – 12.00pm.
Empathy is a fundamental human emotion as it underpins connection, builds trust, and often drives social change. It’s what allows us to understand others’ experiences and respond with care. But what happens when empathy isn’t occasional, but constant? When we are repeatedly exposed to injustice, conflict, and distress, what can it do to us?
Rather than deepening our care, sustained exposure can sometimes have the opposite effect. People may begin to feel overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, or even numb. This raises important questions: how do we continue to engage without becoming depleted? Are we, in some contexts, asking too much of people to “always care”? And what does it look like to maintain empathy while also setting healthy boundaries?
How do we stay open and responsive to others, without tipping into burnout or disengagement? And how can we model this balance for the young people in the classroom?
Listen: The science of compassion
Read: What is Empathy? | How to tell if your tiredness is actually compassion fatigue | How to recover when you feel emotionally drained | The big idea: is compassion fatigue real?
Watch: Empathy is our superpower!
You don’t have to review all the material! But you will get the most out of the Conversation if you review just one or two resources in advance. If you don’t have time to prepare, come along anyway! All ideas and reflections are welcome.
All members of the Courage to Care Community are welcome
If we have insufficient participants, we will inform you of cancellation