Supporting the helpers: A burnout & compassion fatigue workshop with Inclusion NB

Supporting others takes heart, patience and resilience — and Inclusion NB understands that caring for their staff is essential to sustaining the important work they do every day.

As part of an organization-wide staff retreat in Saint John, Inclusion NB partnered with Just Us to deliver an in-person workshop on burnout and compassion fatigue. The session reflected Inclusion NB’s ongoing commitment to workplace wellness and mental-health support — not as a one-time initiative, but as a core part of their organizational culture.

Inclusion NB supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across New Brunswick through a wide range of programs — from early learning and youth services to employment transitions, housing support and community inclusion for adults.

Much of this work is frontline and community-based, often involving crisis situations, complex systems and emotionally demanding interactions. Recognizing this reality, Inclusion NB has made mental health a clear organizational priority.

This workshop was one of several intentional steps Inclusion NB is taking to strengthen workplace wellness across teams and regions. During the session, staff explored the concepts of burnout and compassion fatigue — how they show up, why they’re so common in human-service roles, and how deeply caring about your work can increase vulnerability to stress.

“Because our sector is so people-focused, staff really care about the individuals they work with,” said Madison Arsenault, a project manager at Inclusion NB who helped organize the workshop. “When crises arise, it can have a real impact on mental health.”

Staff from different programs shared common challenges — whether supporting students in schools, helping adults navigate housing and income supports or responding to unexpected crises in the community.

While the workshop introduced key concepts, the most meaningful impact came from the interactive, discussion-based portion of the session.

“What people got the most out of it was being able to talk openly with other staff,” Arsenault shared. “No matter what position you’re in at the organization, we often experience similar pressures.”

Bringing together nearly 65 staff members — from different programs and from across the province — created space for connection that doesn’t often happen in day-to-day work. For many, it was a rare opportunity to pause, reflect and feel less alone in their experiences.

“When you’re in the trenches every day, it’s hard to step back and check in. This session helped put that conversation back at the forefront,” Arsenault explains.

At Just Us, we’re proud to partner with organizations like Inclusion NB that recognize workplace wellness as essential — not optional — in human-service work. We believe that knowledge is empowering, and through our workshops, we equip individuals with practical tools and strategies to better understand and navigate their mental health journeys. 

Whether delivered in person or virtually, our workshops are designed to meet teams where they are — creating space for honest conversation, shared learning and practical tools that staff can carry back into their work.

Our counselling interns provide low-cost, engaging and impactful presentations that address important topics related to mental well-being, including:

• Stress Management

• Managing Emotions

• Setting Boundaries

• Burnout

• Neurodiversity

• Self-Care

• Career Development

• and more

Fees range from $50 to $500 and are flexible depending on your budget. All proceeds go towards funding free and low-cost counselling sessions for residents across New Brunswick. To learn more or to book a workshop with us, visit justusinc.ca.