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Growing awareness of 'moral injury' and its causes make it a risk employers should pay particular attention to, according to a researcher and government advisor.

Given the positive duty most employers have to mitigate psychosocial safety risks, researcher and specialist suicide prevention advisor Dr Nikki Jamieson says it might not be long before moral injury is "formally called out" as a risk or hazard.

Jamieson, who is also the founder of Moral Injury Australia, describes the phenomenon as a "trauma-related syndrome" that's often caused by "grievous moral betrayals, and violations against our deeply held moral beliefs or ethical standards".

The deep, unresolved feelings that result – ranging from anger and betrayal to guilt and shame – can do lasting "biopsychosocial and spiritual damage", she tells HR Daily.

It can occur as a result of traumatic events, and is a particular risk among first responders in sectors like defence and healthcare, Jamieson says...