Canadian Press story highlights problems of burnout in Canadian Forces Chaplaincy Branch

I am enjoying three weeks on course in Ottawa, the nation's capital, to study Ethics. The food is good, the accomodations at St. Paul's University are first rate, there's an awesome theological library here, and every day the chance to run the Rideau Canal (saw the Defence Minister, the Hon. Peter McKay, while running the Canal this afternoon). It's all very cushy, and I've no complaints, but today the Canadian Press released this piece on how the high tempo of operations and the demands to care for our soldiers and their families are putting many of my colleagues at risk. I can't comment on the magnitude of this problem, but I can say first hand that I know chaplains who are much the worse the ware for their experiences overseas, either in theatre or in hospitals. They deserve our prayer and our support. MP+



Chaplain colleagues pay their respects at the ramp ceremony for Petty Officer Second Class Douglas Blake on 5 May at Kandahar Airfield.


Alison Auld

The Canadian Press
Published on Monday, May. 17, 2010 3:13AM EDT

Chaplains in the Canadian military are suffering high levels of burnout and many are at risk of developing disorders like depression, according to documents that pin the blame on heavy workloads and compassion fatigue.

Officials in the chaplaincy office link the elevated stress to the prolonged surge in operational tempo, staff shortages and the strain of tending to families of soldiers killed or injured overseas.

Leadership in the Chaplain General's office is so concerned about the issue that it has submitted a strategic plan to the chief of military personnel outlining ways to deal with the problem.

Read the whole piece here.