This project assessed the impact of three stress reduction interventions – yoga, meditation, and clinical debriefing – on stress levels, burnout, and other physical and mental health symptoms experienced by anti-violence workers. The researchers gathered preliminary information regarding the impacts of the different interventions and their effect on accident/injury, illness, rehabilitation, and return-to-work

The researchers examined the impact of interventions for reducing depression and burnout among workers at a large anti-violence women’s organization in B.C. The interventions included previously implemented workplace changes and an eight-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course offered to staff during the study

After taking the MBSR course, participants reported significant improvements in their physical health, symptoms of depression, exhaustion and sense of professional efficacy compared with staff on a wait-list for the course

The study also found that absenteeism rates began to decline in the year after the workplace changes were introduced