Understanding moral injury

Abstract: Over the course of life and more specifically throughout military service, Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members may experience events of significance. These events and how they impact each individual will differ from person to person and can also change depending on a person’s life circumstances at the time. Certain occupations that care for the health, wellbeing, and/or the safety of individuals are at higher risk of exposure to events that could contribute to moral injury. Although the literature on moral injury has grown much in the last years, the concept is complex and there are still debates among the experts on its definition, causes, effects on an individual, and ability to predict who is vulnerable and why. It is therefore not surprising that many people are unfamiliar with moral injury. This guide has been developed to raise awareness of the concepts of moral stress, distress, and injury within the CAF population and to support individuals, leaders and the organization in their efforts to mitigate the impact of potentially morally injurious events in the workplace.

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