Flint Books lands guide for 'super-helpers' by psychologists Baker and Vincent

Flint Books has landed a new guide for "super-helpers" by psychologists Jess Baker and Rod Vincent.

Jo de Vries, consultant editor, bought world, all-language rights to The Super-Helper Syndrome: A Survival Guide for Compassionate People from Jane Graham Maw and Maddy Belton at the Graham Maw Christie Agency. It is scheduled for publication on 29th September 2022 in hardback and e-book formats.

The Super-Helper Syndrome is the authors’ response to "an urgent and growing need to change the way we think about the role of helping in society". The publisher said: "Professional carers across the world are experiencing record levels of stress and PTSD, and the number of ‘informal carers’ has grown exponentially with studies showing that in the UK alone 70% of those in unpaid helping roles are experiencing negative impacts on their physical and mental health, while everyday helpers are consistently overlooked and overstretched. This book shows how we can all find a better way to help each other."

Baker said: “As a psychologist who’s got to know many helpers in the past 20 years, I’ve been struck by how they are often so focused on others that they overlook their own needs. I call this the ‘Super-Helper Syndrome’ – where people feel compelled to help others even to the detriment of their own wellbeing. I’ve unearthed the reasons for this and put together a survival guide – based on insights and tools I’ve developed over the years. I’m now excited to offer these solutions to a wider audience. It’s only by supporting their own mental and physical health that helpers can have the strength to care for others in the way they long to.”

De Vries added: “The current conversation around ‘compassion fatigue’ and ‘burnout’ often fails to address the complex relationship we have with helping, particularly at a time when many of us have been thrust into caring roles that often challenge us beyond our capacity. Jess and Rod draw on their wealth of experience to explore the deep nature of helping and the role it plays in all of our lives. Most importantly, they show that reframing how we help is crucial to creating a more compassionate and resilient society."