Team Wellness

What is Team Wellness?  

Team wellness refers to the collective physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing of a group, whether it’s a unit, shift crew, or entire department. It’s about creating an environment where wellness is a shared priority, and everyone feels supported to take care of themselves and each other.  

Why it Matters 

It prevents burnout 

• Mental health concerns, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, are significantly higher among public safety personnel compared to the general population (Carelton et al., 2017). Team-based wellness efforts reduce stress and promote emotional recovery, which may mitigate the risk of burnout and other mental health concerns.  

It strengthens trust 

• Shared experiences and open communication build team cohesion, which is crucial for resilience and operational effectiveness. Group-based debriefings and peer support interventions have been shown to improve emotional outcomes (Tuckey & Scott, 2013).  

It improves readiness 

• Crews that support one another are more prepared to manage complex and high-stress situations. Peer connections also reduced stigma and increase the likelihood that team members will seek help when needed (Ricciardelli et al., 2018). If team members increase help seeking behaviors and better support each other, the entire team's effectiveness and readiness may be improved.  

Building a Culture of Wellness 

Team wellness can start small, while larger systemic changes can have significant impacts. Leaders shouldn’t hesitate to make small changes that are within their control, as it can have a big impact on culture. Creating a culture of Wellness is often built through small, consistent actions: 

• Move together: Take time for group walks, short workouts, or mobility sessions during downtime. 

• Eat well together: Plan healthy shared meals or keep nourishing snacks in the station or office. 

• Talk openly: Normalize conversations about sleep, stress, mental health, and emotional load. 

• Lead by example: When leaders prioritize their own wellness (as well as the wellness of the team), it gives everyone permission to do the same. 

We’re all in this Together 

Creating a culture of wellness isn’t just about individual self-care, it’s about having each other’s backs and promoting team and organizational well-being. By committing to small changes, using available resources, and keeping wellness front and center, we build stronger, safer, and more connected teams. Because in this line of work, no one does it alone.  

References:  

Carleton, R. N., Afifi, T. O., Taillieu, T., Turner, S., Mason, J. E., Ricciardelli, R., McCreary, D. R., & Griffiths, C. T. (2017). Mental disorder symptoms among public safety personnel in Canada. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 63(1), 54–64. https://doi.org/10.1177/0706743717723825 

Ricciardelli, R., Carleton, R. N., Groll, D., & Cramm, H. (2018). Qualitatively unpacking Canadian public safety personnel experiences of trauma and their well-being. Canadian Journal of Criminology and Criminal Justice, 60(4), 566–577. https://doi.org/10.3138/cjccj.2017-0053.r2 

Tuckey, M. R., & Scott, J. E. (2013). Group critical incident stress debriefing with emergency services personnel: A randomized controlled trial. Anxiety, Stress, & Coping, 27(1), 38–54. https://doi.org/10.1080/10615806.2013.809421