Supporting Staff Wellness
For organizations working to address the opioid crisis, staff wellness initiatives offer a range of benefits, including:
Helping staff feel supported, and connected
Addressing stress, fatigue, and burnout
Enabling staff to provide better care to patients
Creating opportunities for creativity and camaraderie
Supporting staff retention
Below are tips for program leaders and team members on promoting wellness. Staff can participate in these initiatives as they work in person or remotely with one another.
Leaders: Learning and connecting
Topics | Tips |
Research and preparation
| Gather behavioral health resources from agencies and organizations. |
Reading may include:
| |
Research pre-existing wellness programs in the region or health system. | |
Surveys
| Survey staff to learn about levels of stress, wellness, burnout. |
Anonymous input | |
Follow-up
| |
Communication | Hold one-on-one meetings, with self-care built into the outline for supervision notes:
|
Check-in at group meetings:
| |
E-newsletter focused on wellness | |
Highlight shared sense of purpose | |
Ideas
| Dedicate time at staff meetings to recognizing colleagues' contributions. |
Reduce meeting fatigue by ending 60-minute meetings 10-15 minutes early. | |
Choose virtual backgrounds that set a relaxing tone. |
Team members: Incorporating relaxation and fun
Topics | Tips |
Relaxation time
| Meditation
|
Wellness room
| |
Activities | Break the routine
|
Special occasions
| |
Ideas | Fun committee
|
Fun Fridays
|
Last updated July 2025
