Supporting others with their mental health is rewarding, but it can also be emotionally draining if you don’t protect your own wellbeing. Setting clear, healthy boundaries is essential to avoid compassion fatigue – the emotional exhaustion that can come from caring for others without enough self-care.

This document explains what compassion fatigue is, how to spot it, and how boundaries can help you stay well while supporting others.

What is Compassion Fatigue?

Compassion fatigue is a form of burnout that affects people who regularly support others emotionally. It can leave you feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and detached.

Signs include:

• Feeling emotionally drained or numb
• Difficulty switching off from others’ problems
• Increased irritability or frustration
• Losing empathy or feeling cynical
• Trouble sleeping or concentrating

You can’t pour from an empty cup – compassion fatigue is a signal to pause and recharge.

Why Boundaries Matter

Boundaries help define what is okay and what isn’t – they protect your time, energy, and emotional health. They allow you to care with compassion, not at the expense of your wellbeing.

Healthy boundaries:

• Prevent overwhelm and emotional burnout
• Help others take responsibility for their own wellbeing
• Create a more balanced and sustainable support role

How to Set Boundaries

1. Know your limits
   • Notice what drains or overwhelms you
   • Be honest about how much time and energy you can give
2. Communicate clearly and kindly:
   • Use calm, respectful language: “I really want to support you, but I’m not available outside of these hours.”
3. Stick to your boundaries:
   • People may test limits at first
   • Hold your boundary without guilt or over explaining
4. Separate support from solutions
   • You are not responsible for fixing others’ problems
   • Offer empathy and signpost to professional help when needed
5. Schedule recovery time
   • Build regular breaks, rest, and reflection into your routine
   • Engage in activities that nourish you (e.g. hobbies, social time, nature)

When to Seek Support Yourself

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or emotionally exhausted:

• Talk to a trusted colleague, supervisor, or mentor
• Reach out to a counsellor or support service
• Reflect on your current workload and role boundaries
• Take a break or reset your routine if needed

Helping others is valuable work – and so is protecting your own mental health.

Tips for Sustainable Support

• Check in with yourself before and after supporting someone
• Use peer support or supervision to process emotions
• Celebrate small wins and progress (yours and theirs!)
• Recognise when it’s time to step back or hand over

Caring for others doesn’t mean sacrificing yourself. By setting healthy boundaries and recognising the signs of compassion fatigue, you protect your energy and ensure you can continue to support others from a place of strength and stability.

Boundaries are not barriers – they are bridges to more sustainable, compassionate support.