As a nurse or midwife, how do you cope with witnessing trauma and traumatised people? That’s the question Antonia asks today, seeking advice from other nurses. Please leave your thoughts in the comments.

I spent 13 hours in ED yesterday with only a 20-minute break. Working alongside doctors and nurses who worked the same hours as me for half as much as a plumber gets.

How can I relate normally to anyone after this? Paranoia sets in, because we cannot meet the demands of people who look to the government to provide the support a community would give, except that there is no community that most damaged people will access, because community means sharing and tolerance and working for the connection to the spirit that drugs give them instantly.

How can I bounce around when I’m full of the tragedy of others?

Ideas please on how to cope with vicarious trauma – beside watching my kids, TV and the beach…