By ellie
Working alone is a common reality for many workers in social services, especially for those who provide direct services. If you have ever walked into a client’s home by yourself, answered an after-hours crisis call, or done outreach in the community without a colleague by your side, you know what working alone feels like. While … Continued
By ellie
The tourism and hospitality industry thrives on delivering exceptional experiences to their guests through the peaks (high job demands) and valleys (low job demands) in demand that tourism seasons naturally bring. These fluctuations, both high and low, are considered psychosocial hazards as they have the potential to put extra strain on workers and impact their … Continued
By ellie
Wellness isn’t all or nothing. It exists on a spectrum—just like mental health. One day, you might feel grounded, productive, and connected. Another day, you may feel emotionally drained or overwhelmed. This fluctuation is normal and expected. The Mental Health Continuum helps us understand that mental health isn’t simply about the presence or absence of … Continued
By ellie
You’ve just completed a safety plan with a client who needed support with keeping themselves safe. It’s your third session like this for the week, and each time you leave with a rush of emotions, including tension, fatigue, and uncertainty. However, there’s little time to process, with paperwork waiting and more clients to see. Does … Continued
By ellie
This article explores how cultural backgrounds influence staff understanding and responses to trauma-informed and harm reduction practices within community social service teams. Aimed at leaders, it highlights the importance and benefits of taking a culturally sensitive approach to support team learning, build trust, and strengthen the implementation of these practices. Fostering Inclusive Practices in a … Continued
By ellie
Unlike physical injuries, which are often immediate and visible, psychological injuries tend to develop gradually and are more difficult to detect. As support workers, we’re often trained to recognize emotional distress in others but not always in ourselves. When you’re constantly caring for others, it’s easy to overlook the subtle signals your own body and … Continued
By ellie
Social services work inevitably challenge workers’ values directly and personally. The nature of the work often brings you face-to-face with ethical dilemmas, cultural complexity, and systemic inequities that can challenge your beliefs and assumptions. As a social service worker, you may need to balance the expectations of your organization with your own personal and cultural … Continued
By ellie
Dr. Ellen Choi and Yuri Cho In today’s diverse workplace, unconscious biases can inadvertently lead to unfair decisions, hinder inclusivity, and stifle innovation. Implementing strategies to address it at both organizational and individual levels is crucial for building truly equitable and thriving environments; however, this requires a willingness to understand how unconscious bias is experienced … Continued
By ellie
Have you ever asked yourself or a teammate “What’s it like to work with me?” For most people, this question can be understandably intimidating. It invites vulnerability and self-awareness which can make us feel uncomfortable. However, when asked with curiosity and openness, it can be an important tool for connection, reflection and psychological safety at … Continued
By ellie
If you have trouble communicating with others at work in an effective way while maintaining collaborative relationships, you are not alone. A statistic on workplace communication showed that 86% of employees and senior leadership believed that a lack of effective collaboration and communication was the cause of most workplace failures.1 The Importance of Empathetic Communication … Continued
