Suffering and Compassion in the Workplace with Angela Chen

Workplace Wellbeing natters

The words 'suffering' and 'compassion' are words we're pretty familiar with in the health and community services sector: after all, the desire to alleviate suffering and show compassion are key reasons why many people find themselves working in the sector in the first place. But have you ever thought about what those words might mean in an organisational context? How suffering can affect you, your work, and the people around you; or how to show compassion to yourself and those you work with?

To celebrate the first episode for Season 2 of Workplace Wellbeing natters, Linda is joined by special guest Angela Chen to talk about what suffering and compassion means when it comes to the people within your organisation. Angela is in her final year of study for a PhD at the University of Melbourne, and is taking a deeper look at the mechanisms behind suffering and compassion in the workplace. Linda and Angela discuss what can contribute to or alleviate suffering in the health and community services sector, and what we can do to show compassionate responses to suffering as workers, co-workers, managers, and leaders.

RESOURCES FOR THIS EPISODE:

Connect with Angela Chen via LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-chen-5765727

Journal Article: Compassion in the Time of COVID-19: Responding to Suffering in Organisations, Chen, A., & Kohler, T., 2022.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/359561032_Compassion_in_the_Time_of_COVID-19_Responding_to_Suffering_in_Organizations

How to Foster Compassion at Work Through Compassionate Leadership https://positivepsychology.com/compassion-at-work-leadership/

How to awaken compassion at work. https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_to_awaken_compassion_at_work

DISCLAIMER

The information provided on this podcast is general in nature only and does not take into account your particular workplace needs, circumstances and objectives, therefore should not be taken as workplace wellbeing advice.

This podcast talks about mental and health and wellbeing, so take care while listening and reach out if you need support. In Australia, there are a number of services available to provide support, including Beyond Blue - 1300 22 4636, and Lifeline – 131114.

ABOUT WORKPLACE WELLBEING NATTERS:

Workplace Wellbeing natters is the podcast for wellbeing in the health and community services sector. If you’re working in primary care, mental health, disability, aged, community development, government, or any other part of the health and community services ecosystem, Workplace Wellbeing natters helps you look after yourself and your colleagues as you work to serve the community.

Hosts Linda and Danielle take you through some of their own insights from working in both the wellbeing, and health and community services sectors, and provide you with evidence-informed strategies to help foster wellbeing in your workplace.

Workplace Wellbeing natters is recorded and produced in Gippsland, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gunaikurnai and Bunurong peoples.

Linda’s Bio:

Hi I’m Linda (she/her). I’m based in Gippsland and work throughout Australia and have almost three decades of experience working with individuals & organisations in the not-for-profit, private and government sectors.

I specialise in workplace wellbeing, and hold qualifications in applied positive psychology, business wellbeing, neuroscience of leadership and am a Master accredited Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) trainer.

I provide tailored training and coaching to support workplaces to be well places and strengthen individual wellbeing through mental health and wellbeing strategies including profiling.

When I’m not working, you can find me line dancing, walking one of our many rail trails (Great Southern Rail Trail and the Warburton to Lilydale Rail Trail are in my top 3), or wandering the wetlands (Sale Commons is my favourite). If I am not out and about I frequently have my nose in a book or buried in my computer as I feed my love of learning by researching the latest theory that has caught my interest.

My qualifications include:

• Master of Applied Positive Psychology (University of Melbourne);

• Graduate Certificate in Business Wellbeing (Sydney Business School, University of Wollongong);

• Advanced Diploma of Neuroscience of Leadership;

• Graduate Certificate in Consumer Engagement;

• Certificate in Professional Coaching;

• Associate Diploma of Arts (Welfare);

• Principal Master Instructor: Mental Health First Aid

Link to website: https://www.lindarowley.com.au/

Danielle’s Bio:

Hi, I’m Danielle (she/her). I live in the Geelong region of Victoria. I have more than 15 years’ experience, in a variety of roles, across the community, private, and government sectors.

I am a wellbeing specialist, with qualifications in positive psychology (wellbeing science). I am currently completing a Master of Professional Psychology, the fifth year studies on my journey to be a psychologist.

I am passionate about supporting people and workplaces to create healthy environments, especially for people who are exposed to potentially traumatic situations as part of their work.

I am also a dog-Mum to Eva, my 9 year old flat coat retriever, I’m teaching myself to play piano (it’ a fun challenge!), I love a good TV binge session, and I have recently started riding my bike again, after letting it gather dust for the last few years.

My qualifications include:

· Master of Professional Psychology (in progress)

· Master of Applied Positive Psychology

· Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)

· Bachelor of Nursing