Background and objectives: Compassion fatigue and burnout are two distinct forms of mental health distress faced by educational workers. Researchers have shown a high level of both phenomena across the field of education; however, a better understanding of what educational workers already do for positive mental and emotional health is needed.
Methods: This research study examined three years of data, collected via survey, inquiring into the various interventions, namely supports and resources, that educational workers use to support positive mental health.
Results: Quantitative data analysis via descriptive and inferential statistics revealed that educational workers relied heavily on their personal support network followed distantly by medical professionals and other interventions, revealing a gap that needs to be addressed by employers. Qualitative thematic analysis revealed a trend towards increased use of environmental interventions to promote positive mental wellbeing.
Conclusions: The data analysis suggested areas of focus required to ensure workplace wellbeing, and that programs too focused on individual or self-directed interventions would not be well received by educators. Suggestions for other interventions that might be helpful for leaders and policy-makers are provided.
Keywords: burnout; compassion fatigue; outdoors; personal and professional interventions for treatment; positive mental health.