19/08/2026
Whether you're a humanitarian worker in the field or a human rights lawyer behind your desk, you're almost certainly making this one fundamental mistake that's costing you your mental health: you forbid yourself from complaining.
That's because you're ignoring the Ring Theory : Comfort In, Dump Out, developed by psychologists Susan Silk and Barry Goldman. — the key to lasting sustainably in your work and continuing to change the world.
Good news! In this post, I'm going to give you permission to complain, and even tell you how to complain.
A starting premise. "Complaining" or "not being allowed to break down" are the words used by almost every person I coach.
What's really being said is:
- "I'm not allowed to let my emotions overwhelm me, I have to stay professional."
- "It's indecent to indulge my little troubles when survivors of the worst violence are still standing, still fighting."
What it imlies is the shame around emotions, the shame around vulnerability instilled by the system.
It shows the false belief that there's a hierarchy of suffering.
The problem: denying your emotions opens the door to cynicism, loss of meaning, compassion fatigue, and toxic avoidance strategies.
To keep having an impact, to remain a conscious ally, you need to complain… but not just anyhow: according to the framework of the Ring Theory.
It consists of concentric circles. All share the same center: the most affected person of a traumatic event.
The different circles represent the people around them, positioned according to their relationship : close family, helpers, medical staff, witnesses, friends, colleagues, acquaintances, authorities.
The rule is simple.
You're a resource for the people in the circle inside yours — on your left. You confort In.
The people in circles further out, on your right, become your resource people. You dump out.
Priority for care and attention goes to the most affected person at the epicenter of the rings.
And at the same time, there are resource people for you too. Look to your right.
Ideally, your organization has set up supervision. If you're lucky, you can debrief with supportive colleagues. Unfortunately, that's not always the case.
It's often up to you to identify where you sit in the concentric circles, and where your resource people are.
It's on one of those circles, on your right, that you can find me.
See you soon,
I'm Mélina, and I'm your ally in supporting your commitment — without sacrificing your mental health.
It's on one of those circles, on your right, that you can find me.
See you soon,
I'm Mélina, and I'm your ally in supporting your commitment — without sacrificing your mental health.