been a while - cannon fodder perhaps then again it may not be

[Rich Rudnick]

Paul O'Malley - gnu's not unix - wrote:
>> Peter Garrett wrote:

> 
> I only tired when I became an op
> 
> I have no problem with someone staying around helping the whole time 
> whatever but I think ops should be forced off and let back on
> 
> I think the same for the IRCC
> 
> why did I come to this opinion - burn out look at the list of who left 
> IRC - in most cases it had to do with reactions to other ops - I think 
> that proves my case
> 
>>> Compassion fatigue includes lack of empathy and compassion for other
>>> ops, not just 'users'. Ops, funnily enough, are people, not computers ;)
>

I agree with Paul 100%, and I think Peter has put his finger on one of 
the major issues. It may seem to trivialize compassion fatigue by 
applying it to ops, but our office gives a lot of compassion fatigue 
training to our crisis line operators. A lot of the behavior I've seen 
over the years can be seen as classic symptoms. Paul's solution 
addresses the issue. Some can walk away for a while without guilt, 
others cannot. Those who can't sometimes need a little encouragement.

Rich