Running on fumes: A wellbeing strategy to support the supporters

Running on fumes: A wellbeing strategy to support the supporters

taff wellbeing emerged as a critical concern within the Student Success Advising (SSA) Team, with increasing reports of fatigue, burnout and vicarious trauma stemming from emotionally intense student interactions. These experiences mirror those in high-intensity service professions, where sustained interpersonal engagement and emotional labour can lead to emotional exhaustion, disengagement, and burnout (Deery et al., 2002).
To address this, a multi-layered wellbeing approach informed by psychosocial hazards legislation was implemented (WorkSafe Queensland, 2022). This approach centred on the cocreation of a tailored SSA Wellbeing Strategy. This strategy integrated individual self-care practices with organisational supports such as mandatory training, caseload management, resilience-building, and structured debriefing after challenging conversations (Deery et al., 2002; Roskams et al., 2021; Sansbury et al., 2015).
Evaluation was conducted through direct staff feedback, focusing on shifts in morale, teamwork and perceived support. Post implementation results were encouraging: the SSA Team maintained high staff retention, sustained modest leave rates, and scored above institutional benchmarks on the University’s Pulse Survey. Staff comments underscored the value of feeling heard and supported: “Knowing we can debrief when we need to has made a big difference in how I feel coming to work” (SSA staff member).
Key reflections highlight the importance of normalising wellbeing conversations and embedding support into everyday practice. By integrating wellbeing structures and fostering open dialogue, the SSA Wellbeing Strategy empowered staff to acknowledge the emotional impact of their work and seek help when needed. This approach has fostered a sustainable culture of care, resilience, and connection

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