Hope Community Resources is the largest provider of services to individuals with disabilities in Alaska. Each month for the past five years, Hope has offered employees free, half-day emotional wellness seminars conducted by a staff psychologist. Employees are invited to participate in the classes on the clock, and it's not unusual to spot caregivers from other local agencies in attendance. They all show up to learn new skills and strategies for staying psychologically fit in an emotionally demanding job environment.

When Hope executives realized that a significant percentage of their workforce was experiencing burnout, they asked staff psychologists to take a closer look at employee stress levels and emotional well-being. The agency shared the resulting information with employees and made a firm commitment to care for its own caregivers. Hope adopted an emotional health model, drawing parallels between the occupational risks of other industries and those faced by caregivers. By educating employees about potential causes of harm, including unhealthy conflict and unmanaged stress, and helping them protect themselves. Hope has shown a sustained commitment to the health and well-being of its workforce.

Monthly newsletters, posted schedules and email announcements inform employees of seminar offerings that focus on prevention, social support and the development of specific skills like managing stress, leading a balanced life and dealing with conflict. At each seminar, attendees receive comprehensive handouts and those who attend the "Coping with Stress" workshop not only practice stress-reduction techniques in class but also take home a relaxation tape.

Since the program's inception, more than 500 staff members have participated. Staff surveys and seminar evaluations show that employees are learning useful skills and about 85 percent rate the classes a nine or ten on a ten-point scale. On a recent survey, two thirds of employees reported that emotional wellness at Hope is improving and 80 percent cited personal gains.

The wellness seminars also generate significant interest from caregivers at other agencies, attracting new employees and instilling pride in current Hope members. As a result, Hope's turnover rate is below 30 percent in an industry that averages significantly higher. The number of complaints filed by employees has declined, and the use of workers' compensation days has fallen 75 percent over the past two years. By supporting wellness in its own workforce, Hope Community Resources continues to deliver high- quality services while staying true to its values as a leader in caregiving

© 2008 American Psychological Association. Reprinted with permission. For more information about the Psychologically Healthy Workplace Program, visit www.phwa.org