Nurse consultant and self-care coach Kathleen Brathwaite is urging the introduction of well-being support programmes for nurses, warning that mounting emotional and mental strain — fuelled by systemic neglect — is pushing Barbados’ caregiving workforce to the brink.
In an interview with Barbados TODAY, Brathwaite issued a stark warning: without structural reforms and a cultural shift in how self-care is viewed, the country risks accelerating a burnout crisis that is already undermining the quality of care and pushing frontline health workers-particularly women-towards emotional collapse.
“We must begin to value the health of those who care for others,” she stressed. “Your well-being is not a luxury nor is it an afterthought. It is a useful necessity.”
Brathwaite exposed the emotional injuries silently endured by nurses, carers and other healthcare staff working in high-stress environments. These are not isolated incidents, she said, but daily realities compounded by understaffing, long hours, and the emotional strain of continuous exposure to suffering.
Brathwaite was speaking about the treatment of healthcare professionals at many state-run institutions as the island commemorates Nurses’ Week.
“Physical trauma – physical abuse from relatives and patients – could be intentional or as a result of a disease state; emotional trauma – stems from increased workloads, poor supportive structures, [and a] lack of resources,” she explained.
Worse yet, she warned of the neurological toll exacted by trauma, where the body may show up for work, but the mind has already checked out.
“Repeated exposure to the stressful/traumatic situations causes lack of synergy of the left and right hemispheres and the sensory system acts chaotically… For the practitioner: turn up for work in body but mind has disassociated.”
These disruptions, she argued, have far-reaching consequences not only for staff but also for patients and public confidence.
“At the community level [there is] decreased faith in the healthcare system.”
Brathwaite believes that many healthcare workers have adopted survival tactics rather than true self-care, often mistaking quick fixes for meaningful support.
“Coping is reactive. It’s what you do to survive a stressful moment… self-care is proactive, intentional and consistent. It’s about building long-term well-being.”
She pointed to common behaviours like doom scrolling – the act of endlessly scrolling through news or particularly negative or distressing content – stress eating, or venting without resolution as signs of burnout masquerading as self-care.
“It’s about temporary relief. [True] self-care is about intentional nourishment.”
Brathwaite’s Micro Self-Care Strategy offers a more sustainable path forward. It includes:
– Micro-boundaries: A small, intentional decision that protects your time, energy or emotional wellbeing.
– Non-negotiables: Your anchor in the chaos… one thing you choose to do for yourself daily.
– Mindset shift: Move from ‘I don’t have time for self-care’ to ‘Small actions add up, and I deserve care too.’
While she champions personal empowerment, Brathwaite argues that real change requires system-wide accountability. Healthcare, she said, must be built on three pillars: theory, practice and self-care.
“The third leg is self-care-a framework that gives equal credence to the persons undertaking this very noble but heavy charge.”
She called on healthcare institutions and government agencies to conduct work wellness audits, implement trauma-informed policies, and invest in continuous self-care training. These are not luxuries, she asserted, but prerequisites for sustainable care delivery.
“Fostering a supportive environment where self-care is not just encouraged but integrated into everyday practices through leadership modelling” is critical.
“Having resources readily available-so self-care coaches, programmes and continuous workshops in your schools and institutions,” she added, must become the new norm.
“Be kind to you. Prioritising self-awareness and self-compassion. Make a habit of centring yourself and asking, ‘What do I need now in this moment?’”
The risk, she warned, is losing one’s sense of self entirely. Many women, she noted, “overlook the importance of setting boundaries and asking for help,” a pattern that leads to emotional fatigue and diminished resilience.
Brathwaite recommends starting small: guilt-free breaks, deep breathing, and quick movement like stretching-all of which restore the body and reset the nervous system under pressure.
In a profession often defined by sacrifice, Brathwaite is challenging long-held norms that glorify overwork and neglect. Her closing message was unambiguous:
“Prioritising self-care isn’t selfish-it’s a powerful act of preservation that enhances your capacity to care for others with compassion and resilience.”
For healthcare systems to thrive, Brathwaite believes the wellbeing of carers must be treated as a national priority.
“This is not optional,” she said. “It’s an economic, ethical and emotional imperative.”
sheriabrathwaite@barbadostoday.bb
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