Recognising the emotional resilience of our interpreters and translators

World Mental Health Day, observed on 10 October, is an important reminder to prioritise our mental wellbeing, and to extend that care to the professionals who support others, often in emotionally challenging environments.

At Silent Sounds, we’re taking this opportunity to shine a light on the often unseen emotional demands placed on our interpreters and translators.

Interpreters:

Whether interpreting face-to-face or online, our BSL/English interpreters are regularly present in situations involving trauma, crisis, or emotional distress, including medical appointments, social care meetings, legal proceedings, and mental health assessments. Their role requires professionalism, neutrality, and empathy all while absorbing emotionally heavy content in real time.

Translators:

Behind the scenes, our translators are often tasked with transcribing and translating recordings of interviews, witness statements, or safeguarding reports. These translations can include graphic, disturbing, or traumatic material which they must engage with carefully and accurately, sometimes over long periods.

In both roles, the risk of vicarious trauma is real. It’s the emotional residue of being exposed to another person’s trauma, something that can build up silently, especially when there’s little opportunity to debrief or seek support.

At Silent Sounds, we are committed to acknowledging the mental and emotional impact of interpreting and translation work. We actively encourage mental health awareness within our professional community, and we’re currently exploring ways to offer dedicated support, including the development of future workshops and resources aimed at equipping interpreters and translators with tools to manage the emotional demands of their work. Our aim is to create a space for open discussion, peer connection, and access to resources that help manage stress, build resilience, and protect wellbeing.

On this World Mental Health Day, we want to say thank you, not just for the skill and precision our interpreters and translators bring, but for the emotional strength and resilience they show every day.

Related articles:

The value of skilled interpreters

How Maslow’s Hierarchy can elevate interpreting and translation services in healthcare