By andrewwalsh
A support worker finishes a challenging shift helping several chronically unhoused individuals secure housing. Nothing went wrong on paper. Appointments were kept, applications submitted, and no incidents occurred. Yet, on the way home, they replay decisions in their mind, “Did I advocate enough? Could I have connected them with more resources?” There’s no one to … Continued
By andrewwalsh
Content advisory:This article includes discussion of traumatic events commonly encountered in community social services, including suicide. A youth outreach worker responds to a call about a youth in crisis. When they arrive, emergency services are already on scene. The situation is stabilized, but distressing details emerge: the youth was found after a suicide attempt. The … Continued
By ellie
Compassion is an important part of creating healthy, supportive workplaces. It involves noticing when others are struggling and responding with understanding and care. Equally valuable is self-compassion: the practice of treating ourselves with the same patience and kindness we offer to those around us. By recognizing our own challenges with kindness rather than judgment, self-compassion … Continued
By ellie
Consider the following scenario: Sarah is a newly appointed assistant director working in film production. During a busy shoot day, she has a disagreement with a crew member about how an extra shot should be scheduled in order to stay on timeline and meet production deadlines. The exchange feels tense and afterward, Sarah notices a … Continued
By ellie
In the arts and entertainment sector, stress can be a feature of your working life. Stress isn’t always negative at manageable levels; it can sharpen focus, spark creative problem-solving, and support learning and growth. Healthy stress can build resilience over time and even activate the same energizing chemistry in the body as excitement, helping you … Continued
By ellie
A case manager starts the day with multiple complex cases. By noon, two urgent situations arise, documentation piles up, and breaks are skipped. There is no clear guideline for what counts as a manageable caseload, and the day ends with unfinished tasks and lingering anxiety. No traumatic incident occurred, yet the structure of the job … Continued
By ellie
A new social navigator starts their first shift in a community clinic. They are given a list of people to support and access to their electronic medical records. There is no formal introduction to staff, no structured safety orientation, and no discussion of potential risks when doing outreach. The new worker introduces themself to staff … Continued
By ellie
Imagine this: A team meeting ends. One staff member leaves feeling dismissed after being interrupted repeatedly. Another feels frustrated but stays silent about a growing workload imbalance. No policies were broken. No voices were raised, yet tension lingers. In community social services, we are deeply committed to building trust with individuals who may have experienced … Continued
By ellie
This resource is part of the Safety Talk: Giving and Receiving Feedback in Arts & Entertainment. Download the Giving and Receiving Feedback quick reference guide as a handy resource or watch the video. Let’s face it: in creative industries, what sets exceptional productions apart is not just talent or vision. It’s how crew collaborate and communicate under pressure. Psychological safety, … Continued
By ellie
This resource is part of the Safety Talk: Giving and Receiving Feedback in Arts & Entertainment. Download the Giving and Receiving Feedback quick reference guide as a handy resource or watch the video. In the fast-paced world of creative production, feedback is inevitable. Whether it is from collaborators, department heads, or producers, how we give and receive feedback shapes our … Continued
