Many people face situations which challenge their beliefs and values everyday. However, there can be times when these situations create difficult feelings and a sense that they are crossing their conscience. Consider the following examples: Sarah has a boss who expects that she publically supports a controversial decision that she privately disagrees with. This creates a serious source of internal conflict for her. In another example, Michael has a friend disclose to him serious moral wrongdoing but demands that he not get involved and refuses support. Michael now has to grapple with an awareness of the situation but is not able to take action which creates substantial emotional tension. Finally, Jeremy feels angry and confused by the actions of a leader in an institution who does not live up to the moral standard that he expects such as breaking the law or having an affair.
When Your Values and Experiences Collide
These stories are all examples of psychological conflict and pain called moral injury. In 2025 moral injury was officially recognised as a mental health condition. Moral injury can be described as: “psychological harm incurred from committing, witnessing, or being subject to actions that violate one’s moral code.”
Moral injuries may be accompanied with feelings of guilt, anger, shock, or betrayal. They may also be associated with difficulty sleeping, concentrating, or participating in regular activities. Spiritual questioning and struggles are also common. Some people might isolate themselves, feel alone, or self-medicate in an attempt to cope with the pain. Other examples of moral injury include experiencing deep conflict between personal values and organisational culture, discovering institutional misconduct, or witnessing traumatic events that violate an individual’s moral code.
Moral injuries often occur in the context of post-traumatic stress disorder but can exist outside of the disorder. Just like physical injuries lead to lasting damage and need time to recover and heal, moral injuries can also lead to unseen pain which needs time to recover and heal.
How to Get Support
Recovering and healing from moral injury is rarely straightforward or linear. It often involves acknowledging and processing what has occurred, understanding how it fits into your story, and finding new meaning in the experience. Sharing your struggles with a trusted person is often the first step. If you are wondering whether therapy might be helpful after experiencing a moral injury, or if you would like to explore your experiences further, please contact us at the Centre for Effective Living.
