What is Moral Injury?
Wikipedia defines moral injury as:
“A moral injury is an injury to an individual’s moral conscience and values resulting from an act of perceived moral transgression, producing profound feelings of guilt or shame, moral disorientation, and societal alienation. It is most often studied in the context of military personnel but can also apply to other professions and situations.”
There are many influences throughout life that determine our morals—our definitions of right versus wrong—so that each person has a unique model of moral reality.
When we are involved in, or observe, actions that conflict with our own values, this can cause moral injury, leading to feelings of shame, guilt, contempt, and anger. These negative emotions can result in mental health disorders such as depression, substance misuse, and even PTSD.
Examples of Moral Injury
Categories of morally injurious events fall into one of three categories.
Actions we commit or experience – This includes situations where we or others cause harm, such as a drunk driver causing injury in a car accident.
Actions we fail to take – This occurs when an individual fails to intervene in a harmful situation, such as a teacher failing to report suspected abuse.
Betrayal in high-stakes situations – This often happens in organisations or institutions. For example, within the NHS, inadequate resources may prevent healthcare workers from delivering the care they believe is necessary, leading to moral distress.
What Impact Does Moral Injury Have?
The impact of moral injury has been linked to severe mental health conditions, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as well as substance abuse.
In 2023, research involving 12,965 healthcare staff from 18 NHS England trusts found that exposure to potentially morally injurious events (PMIEs) during the pandemic was significantly associated with adverse mental health symptoms across both clinical and non-clinical roles. Specific work factors, such as being redeployed, lack of personal protective equipment (PPE), and experiencing the death of a colleague due to COVID-19, were significantly associated with experiences of moral injury. \
Initially morally injurious events can cause an immediate strong negative emotional response. Over time, these feelings may lessen and resolve. If symptoms persist, it is important to seek professional support.
Seeking Professional Support
By addressing moral injury early AND proactively, individuals can work towards healing as well as regaining a sense of peace and alignment with their values.
Speak to your G.P. if you feel that your mental wellbeing is being affected by a moral injury. Or contact a charity such as Mind which specialises in mental health.
I can help as well. I offer solution focused hypnotherapy. This is where we imagine a future that is worry free and set goals to reach that. Solution Focused means that, as therapists, we don’t look back at the past to pick over painful memories or to try and reason why a person may be having difficulties. Instead, we concentrate on the positive aspects of the person’s life and personality in order to move forward, to find solutions that suit them and to facilitate long-lasting changes. It is a collaborative process and the client must want change to happen.
Contact me for an initial consultation.