Self-care for staff and supervisors

We are currently living through an extremely challenging time, with anxiety and stress more present in our daily life due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It’s important to remember that feeling anxious, fearful, stressed, angry or irritable are common and normal feelings during uncertain times.

Read on for self-care strategies for both staff and supervisors and how you can access support.

Self-care for staff

ACU’S Employee Assistance Program provider, AccessEAP, suggests a range of self-care strategies you may find useful.

Read Caring for yourself during the COVID-19 pandemic for more details.

Self-care for supervisors

As a supervisor, you may be experiencing your own emotions about the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as feeling responsible for your team.

AccessEAP recommend the following tips to look after yourself as a leader:

• Be mindful of the volume of media coverage you are consuming.
• Get your information from credible and official sources such as the World Health Organisation and Australian Government websites.
• Feel more in control through good personal hygiene practices such as washing your hands properly, checking in with your loved ones or helping your elderly neighbour with their grocery shopping.

How supervisors can support staff

• Acknowledge feelings of anxiety and fear - recognise and provide reassurance that these responses and emotions are normal.
• Suggest some of these coping and self-care strategies.
• Do not engage in ‘catastrophizing’ conversations - focus on the facts.
• Encourage people to keep things in perspective and to focus on the things they can control.
• Have conversations about other things that matter and encourage your team to do the same.
• Encourage your team to have breaks, to be active and to get rest.
• Discuss the impact of excessive exposure to media and social media.
• Do not judge - everyone will have their own response and most of these responses are due to fear. Be kind and offer support.

Support is available

Access EAP

If you need support, you can access counselling services through AccessEAP.

ACU staff and their immediate family members can access up to three one-hour sessions of free, confidential counselling per calendar year.

EAP appointments can be made by calling AccessEAP on 1800 818 728. Please note that EAP support services are currently available via phone, online and video conference only.

Campus Ministry

Campus Ministry will continue to provide support for the ACU community, whether it be in person or online.

• Read more about Campus Ministry’s response to COVID-19.
• Contact your local Campus Ministry team member or chaplain.