Wellbeing in the Workplace for EiE Practitioners

Education in Emergencies (EiE) practitioners work directly or indirectly in some of the most challenging environments imaginable. Whether responding to natural disasters, conflict, or displacement, EiE professionals are at the forefront of ensuring that children and youth continue to receive an education amid crisis, something that is more important than ever and that continues to be an essential, lifesaving, and life-sustaining humanitarian intervention.

While this work is incredibly rewarding and fulfilling, for many of us, it also comes with high stress levels and increased emotional demands. This makes it crucial for those working in the sector to prioritize wellbeing in the workplace.

Last month, October 10th marked World Mental Health Day. Aligned with the World Health Organization’s 2024 theme, “It’s time to prioritize mental health in the workplace.”, we are reflecting on how we can prioritise and support the wellbeing and mental health of EiE practitioners.

Why Wellbeing Matters

The nature of our work in the humanitarian sector often places us face-to-face with some of the world’s most difficult situations, and this can take a toll on our wellbeing. Some of the specific challenges we face as EiE practitioners include:

• Emotional strain: Supporting children and communities who are suffering from trauma, loss, and uncertainty, can expose practitioners to secondary trauma.
• High-stress environments: Operating under tight deadlines, with limited resources, and in unstable conditions can be emotionally exhausting and stress-inducing.
• Burnout risk: The constant pressure of delivering essential services can lead to physical and emotional exhaustion.
• Remote and isolated work: EiE professionals often work in remote or isolated environments, lacking immediate access to peer support or mental health services. This can further lead to feelings of isolation and helplessness.

These factors and others can affect the mental health and overall wellbeing of practitioners, and the quality of the services they deliver.

This is why prioritizing wellbeing in the workplace is as important now as ever. Promoting mental health and wellbeing is not only about preventing burnout but also about creating environments where EiE professionals can thrive and grow in their skills and roles.

An intentional focus on wellbeing and mental health allows practitioners to:

1. Build resilience: Equipping individuals with the tools and strategies to cope with stress, remain adaptable, and recover quickly from challenges.
2. Enhance job satisfaction: A supportive work environment can lead to greater job satisfaction, retention, and overall effectiveness.
3. Maintain work-life balance: Encouraging breaks, flexible working arrangements, and self-care can improve both productivity and personal wellbeing.
4. Foster peer support: Creating networks of peer support allows practitioners to share their experiences and offer and receive guidance and emotional support.

Strategies for Supporting Wellbeing

Some practical strategies for supporting wellbeing at an individual and organization level include:

1. Self-care and stress management: Encouraging regular self-care practices is essential. Examples include maintaining healthy boundaries, engaging in physical activity, practicing mindfulness, and finding time for personal hobbies outside of work.
2. Building a supportive organizational culture: Organizations can play a critical role in supporting the wellbeing of their staff. Creating a culture that prioritizes mental health can involve providing access to counseling services, offering professional development in stress management, and normalizing open conversations about mental health.
3. Peer support networks: Establishing peer support networks is a powerful way to enable practitioners to connect, share their experiences, and support each other emotionally. These networks can reduce feelings of isolation and provide a safe space for practitioners to discuss their challenges.
4. Capacity sharing on resilience and mental health: Offering training on resilience, stress management, and coping strategies can empower EiE professionals to manage the emotional and psychological demands of their roles. This training should be tailored to the specific challenges of crisis settings.
5. Offering flexible work arrangements: Where possible, organizations should offer flexible work arrangements, allowing for breaks, time off, and remote working options to reduce stress and prevent burnout.

Collective Action for Impact

While individual efforts to promote wellbeing are important, collective action is key to fostering a supportive environment for all EiE practitioners. Enhancing collaboration across the sector can lead to the creation of resources, toolkits, and policies designed to promote mental health and wellbeing. By working together, organizations can share best practices and ensure that mental health support is integrated into all levels of EiE programming.

As we recognize World Mental Health Day and the importance of mental health in the workplace, the EiE sector must take proactive steps to support the wellbeing of its practitioners. By promoting a culture of care, providing access to mental health resources, and fostering resilience, we can ensure that those working on the frontlines of crisis are not only able to cope but thrive in their roles.

Prioritizing mental health in the workplace benefits everyone. It allows practitioners to bring their best selves to the critical work of educating children and youth in crisis, ultimately leading to more effective and sustainable EiE programs.

In honor of World Mental Health Day on October 10, the INEE PSS-SEL Working Group held a special webinar focused on the wellbeing of EiE practitioners. This webinar focused on practical strategies and tools to promote resilience, mental health, and overall wellbeing in the workplace. Watch the event recording here.

Esther Mbau is the Psychosocial Support and Social-Emotional Learning (PSS-SEL) Coordinator at the Inter-agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE). Based in Nairobi, Kenya, she has been with the INEE secretariat for over a year, working to enhance mental health and psychosocial support in educational settings. With extensive experience in PSS-SEL, Esther collaborates with partners globally to strengthen policies, resources, and interventions that support the well-being and social-emotional development of children and youth in crisis-affected areas. Her work is pivotal in advancing INEE’s mission to provide quality, inclusive education in emergencies and fragile contexts.