To mark the International Day of Care and Support, a panel discussion titled “Compassion Fatigue – Secondary Traumatization of Employees in Social Welfare Institutions Providing Long-Term Care and Family Caregivers” was held in Vranje on October 29, 2025. The event was organized by the Red Cross of Serbia and the Chamber of Social Welfare.

The discussion brought together professionals and practitioners in the field of social welfare, representatives of institutions and organizations providing support services for older people, as well as family caregivers. The aim of the event was to draw attention to the effects of long-term care work and to highlight the importance of systemic support for the mental health of caregivers.

At the panel, the results of the study “Compassion Fatigue: Secondary Traumatization of Employees in Social Welfare Institutions Providing Long-Term Care and Family Caregivers” conducted by the Red Cross of Serbia in 2024 were presented.

The findings show that although the number of respondents with high levels of compassion fatigue is relatively small, more than half report moderate levels, indicating the need for continuous support and preventive measures. Compassion fatigue describes emotional exhaustion among those who provide long-term care for others and is recognized in the literature as “the cost of caring.”

The speakers included: Nataša Todorović, psychologist and expert associate of the Red Cross of Serbia; Dr. Milutin Vracevic, expert associate of the Red Cross of Serbia; Sandra Perić, social worker from the Chamber of Social Welfare; and Jovana Jovičić, representative of the Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection Attaché Office at the Austrian Embassy.

The event also featured the exhibition “Prevention of Violence Against Older Persons” prepared by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection. The panel discussion was categorized as a professional event in accordance with the Rulebook on the Licensing of Social Welfare Professionals, and participation was free of charge.

The Red Cross of Serbia has been marking this date since it was established, while also conducting research, advocacy activities, and trainings that contribute to better care for those in need of support, as well as to the preservation of caregivers’ health.