The Cost of Caring: Strategies to Combat Burnout and Secondary Trauma among Professionals Working with Children

During a time marked by global upheaval—including armed conflicts, climate-related disasters, and the aftermath of a worldwide pandemic—the topic of stress and burnout among professionals working with children has become more urgent than ever. This period of profound and ongoing change has intensified an already growing mental health and burnout crisis among child-serving providers across healthcare, mental health, education, child welfare, and related systems. These professionals have long worked under demanding conditions, often with irregular hours and high emotional stakes in environments that are challenging and chronically stressful. The goal of this webinar is to deepen participants’ understanding of Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) and Burnout, while offering practical, evidence-informed strategies to support the well-being of professionals working with children across diverse settings. Dr. Zlatina Kostova will provide an overview of STS and burnout, explore their physiological and psychological impacts, and share concrete tools for recognizing, managing, and mitigating these effects. The session will include opportunities for interactive discussion and experiential self-care practices that participants can apply in both personal and professional contexts.