Promoting occupational wellbeing in a non-governmental organization : empowering the staff of “teach for Lebanon”

Abstract

This internship was a wellbeing project that aimed to foster holistic wellbeing among participants through a multifaceted approach. The primary objectives included encouraging self-care practices, building a sense of community and addressing and preventing burnout. The project was structured around a comprehensive model consisting of pre-evaluation, nine wellbeing activities, post-evaluation and customized e-profiles. These components were strategically implemented within a local non-governmental organization that works on education called Teach For Lebanon to create a positive impact on its staff's overall well-being. The project was for 15 weeks held between August and November 2023. An experimental study was conducted in which pre- and post-evaluations were held before and after a 4-month intervention of condensed wellbeing activities. The data collection employed a mixed-methods approach combining quantitative and qualitative data from pre- and post-evaluations to allow for a holistic understanding of the participants' experiences and the effectiveness of the intervention. Although the assessments were affected by a geopolitical crisis, which took place in the second half of the project, preliminary results indicated a notable improvement with an average of 62% reporting improvement in their overall wellbeing with 55% reporting changes within the organization for improved job satisfaction. Moreover, in addition to the 27% of the staff already leading lifestyles on the higher spectrum of wellbeing, 45% reported changing, adding or removing certain actions from their lifestyles because of the project for enhanced wellbeing. The internship's focus on self-care, community-building, and burnout prevention through tackling different pillars of wellbeing aligns with public health priorities. By demonstrating positive outcomes including improved well-being and organizational responsiveness, this project contributes valuable insights and a robust framework for promoting wellbeing in workplace settings. The project's success suggests potential scalability and adaptability to a variety of contexts emphasizing its relevance to enhancing overall wellbeing and thus public health.