You’re carrying so many people’s stories: vicarious trauma among fly-in fly-out mental health service providers in Canada

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to examine the factors that influence fly-in and fly-out (FIFO) mental health service providers’ experiences of vicarious trauma as they deliver services to communities in Inuit Nunangat through a constructivist self-development theory (CSDT) lens. Method: Using a participatory action research methodology, we conducted eight semi-structured interviews with providers to understand their perspectives on the risk of developing vicarious trauma and potential mitigation strategies. Results: We identified three themes through thematic analysis: 1) vicarious trauma is a risk associated with working in communities with high rates of trauma; 2) establishing individual and organizational strategies to reduce risk of vicarious trauma may improve FIFO providers’ well-being and career longevity; and 3) FIFO models of care may offer protective benefits for mental health service providers against vicarious trauma. Conclusions: We conclude that FIFO models of care may help mental health service providers to manage the risk of vicarious trauma through reduced caseload and less time spent in community.