Written by Meghan Rusco, Leader and Innovator As an Executive Contributor to Brains magazine, I'm passionate about exploring the frontiers of human potential and innovation. In the face of compassion fatigue, Meghan Rusco, Supervisory Lead of Chronic Disease Prevention & Wellness at CCHN, shares her journey from personal trauma to creating trauma-informed systems. This article explores how compassionate leadership can transform organizations, reduce burnout, and promote sustainable wellness practices. . From survival to systems Years ago, I stood in a staff hallway, trembling in the aftermath of workplace violence. One supervisor told me, “Go home.” Another called simply to ask if I’d filled out the incident form. Their disconnection echoed louder than the trauma itself. There was no safety net, no acknowledgment, no repair. So I built one. Today, I lead county-wide wellness and prevention programming. I design trauma-informed systems shaped by lived experience, structures that scaffold others in care I once had to live without. And those systems don’t just protect; they transform. When staff feel heard and supported, retention improves, turnover slows, and morale rises. The work becomes sustainable, not sacrificial. When the helpers hurt Compassion fatigue doesn’t arrive in one dramatic moment. It’s slow, cumulative, and soul-eroding. It shows up as: Over-functioning with under-recognition Silence where accountability should be Layered expectations that ignore invisible labor Too often, burnout becomes institutionalized. The very people hired to support community wellness are left unsupported themselves. I remember one afternoon clearly, the moment I knew something had to change. I had just returned from a site visit, carrying ten different roles in my head, fielding crisis calls, and navigating internal tensions. I looked at my checklist and felt nothing but dread, not because I didn’t care, but because there was no space for repair, reflection, or rest. That was my reckoning, and it sparked a redesign. In my early years, I tried to hold everything: the trauma, the guilt, the roles, the relationships. I thought that if I worked harder, healed faster, or showed up brighter, I could fix what wasn’t mine to fix. Now I know: boundaries aren’t selfish; they’re sacred. Rebuilding with intention Trauma-informed leadership isn’t just a checklist; it’s a culture. It means: Systems that anticipate human needs Processes that honor both equity and grace Checklists that protect staff from overwhelm, not bury them in it Space for feedback, repair, and adaptation It also means modeling self-compassion in a world that rarely rewards it. When we shift how our departments function, the ripple effect reaches far beyond the workplace. A trauma-informed team doesn’t just serve individuals; it models wellness for entire communities. We stop replicating harm and start building a legacy. I’ve let go of outdated expectations, roles that relied on my silence, and the idea that I must sacrifice myself to be of service. I haven’t lost my purpose; I’ve refined it. A quiet call to builders In the years since that night, I’ve spoken truth, even when my voice shook. I’ve lost relationships, lost roles I loved, and lost illusions that no longer served me. But I have not lost my voice, and I will not be silenced. Because the cost of silence is too high. Every piece I create carries my promise: that others won’t have to stand alone in the hallway of harm. I don’t claim perfection, but I do claim purpose. I design systems from lived pain so they can hold others in safety. I speak, not because I’m unbreakable, but because I know what grows after the breaking. So, if you’ve endured harm, exhaustion, betrayal, or systemic failure, if compassion fatigue has carved its way through your days, this is your invitation: Don’t let the events that shaped you trap you. Let them fuel your vision. Use what you’ve lived to build what others need. You don’t have to be a martyr; you just have to be a builder. And the fire in your hands? It might warm the whole village. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Meghan Rusco Meghan Rusco, Leader and Innovator A seasoned thought leader and innovator, I bring a wealth of expertise to the table, fueled by a relentless curiosity for the complex interplay between technology, psychology, and success.

TIME is one of the most valuable assets we have. Why? TIME is by default, a part of the reality in which we live. TIME as a dollar value TIME as a to-do list TIME is something you have plenty of TIME is something you This is where we have attached our personal identity of value in the roles we play such as teacher, manager Breathe a few TIMEs, think about it some more, breathe a few more TIMEs. Ok.

But how do you know when it’s truly time to make a change? Say, for example, that you recurrently express feeling overwhelmed, and your manager dismissively replies If there’s someone who can manage, it’s you.’ That merely shuts down your concerns. Similarly, a manager announcing budget cuts and headcount reductions with a positive ‘I know we can do it’s time to leave.   3. 

Lena is the creator of AnxietyEase, a life-changing practice in one App to better help individuals manage However, when anxiety becomes overwhelming, it’s essential to manage it so it doesn’t control your life Here are some tips to help you better manage anxiety 1. Over time, you’ll naturally internalize them, which can make it easier to manage anxiety when it arises She has dedicated her energy to helping others learn tools to better manage their anxiety daily.

In a fast-paced world where time is currency and stress is epidemic, self-care has become both a buzzword No calendar management required: 1. The boardroom ballet Imagine your next serious meeting. Time-traveling elevator Picture each elevator floor opening to a new era: dinosaurs on 3, astronauts Next time you're flooded, try: "This is anxiety." "This is tightness in my chest." In times of financial uncertainty or societal unrest, this shift becomes even more vital.

So I decided that I had to know what the heck was happening to me in my dream time. And from the looks of it, I caught it just in time. 5 Types of Guidance You Can Access in Your Dreams It is time for you to tap into your subconscious mind, your connection to the universal mind. Use your dream time to help you access the infinite intelligence from within. Another way to access guidance in your dream time is to say a prayer for guidance.

fabulous clients in Brickell (I love you, girl) recently suggested that I begin charging clients for the time Desperate times call for desperate measures. That right includes timely, affordable, high-quality access to essential healthcare services. To pharmacists, it is the most suitable time for you to bridge the gap and help your clients. FDA and DEA, time’s Up .

Rhodes is a Corporate Wellness Consultant and is Certified in Managed Care and Licensed as a Registered While the pandemic's impact varies from sector to sector, it is essential to manage staff exhaustion This can build trust among employees as they feel their managers genuinely understand their individual Managers can adjust work hours per day to allow time for caring for children and family members. By combining her love for Managed Care/Population Health background with her innate ability to create

During the holidays: You can manage stress, family tension, and expectations with understanding and grace

Twins are often seen as built-in playmates, always having someone to share their time and experiences Separate play time allows them to explore their own likes and dislikes without the influence of their the responsibility to socialise for both, leaving the other twin to rely on them to make friends and manage Schedule one-on-one time Spend quality time with each twin individually, whether reading a book, going engaged in play on their own can set the scene for invaluable one-on-one time.

The management of fleets has been an inherent aspect of industries that require transportation logistics Fleet Management Digital Transformation Fleet management used to be a manual process. Instead of wading through receipts, the managers would be able to have detailed reports at the tip of Telematics and Real Time Data Another important development in technology of fleet management is called can monitor the performance of their vehicles, driver behaviour and efficiency of the route in real-time

Many UK businesses start out managing their own shipping. But as operations expand and time becomes tighter, self-managed logistics can quietly turn into a costly If you're still arranging collections, managing customs paperwork, and chasing freight quotes in-house The Hidden Cost of Self-Managed Freight Shipping is rarely just about booking a van or container. For many businesses, managing this in-house becomes a significant drain on time and resources.