Scaling Up Trauma- and Violence-Informed Physical Activity for Mental Health and Well-being

Candace Roberts

Impact

  • Trauma- and violence-informed physical activity (TVIPA) offers a gentle, body-based approach to promoting mental health, especially for those who have experienced trauma.

  • A new Community of Practice (CoP) now connects service providers, helping reduce stress, prevent burnout, and foster peer support.

  • The project increased awareness among providers about the mental health benefits of physical activity, an often overlooked but powerful tool.

  • Peer support systems can improve provider well-being and enhance the quality of care they offer.

  • The project highlighted the pressures faced by service providers and offers practical ways for organizations like St. Mary’s Home to prioritize staff mental health – through movement, peer connection, and flexible supports. These findings offer a path forward as organizations continue adapting in a post-pandemic world.

  • Ontario

  • Studentship

  • Carleton University

  • St Mary<s Home

  • Mitacs, Knowledge Institute on Child and Youth Mental Health and Addictions

  • 2023-2024

  • Children and Youth Mental Health

  • Children (aged 1-12), Youth (aged 13-18)

About the Project

This project looked at how physical activity can help service providers take care of their own mental health, build social connections, and create a stronger sense of community in the workplace. The project focused on the experiences of staff from St. Mary’s Home and other similar organizations in Ottawa. It explored what kinds of support are helpful for those working in social services, especially during stressful periods like the pandemic. The research also helped lay the groundwork for a new network (called a Community of Practice) that allows service providers to learn, share resources, and feel less alone in their work.

Methodology

The project was shaped and guided by input from both community members and staff from the partner organization. Interviews were held with 22 service providers to gather their experiences and perspectives. The team used a thoughtful and inclusive approach to analyze the stories and themes that came out of these conversations. This helped uncover both challenges and opportunities for improving mental health supports in the workplace. The findings also contributed to the creation of a Community of Practice focused on trauma- and violence-informed physical activity.

Findings

  • Service providers faced serious challenges during the pandemic, including more demand for services, the stress of working from home, and trying to support others while also caring for their own mental health.

  • 100% (all 22) of the service providers interviewed reported challenges related to:

    • Transitioning to online service delivery;

    • Managing increased client needs;

    • Supporting their own mental health while delivering care; and

    • Lack of access to physical activity programming during the pandemic.

  • Programs involving physical activity were often seen as "non-essential" and cut during the pandemic, even though there is strong evidence that movement supports mental well-being.

  • Many providers had not thought deeply about how physical activity could benefit them and their clients points to an opportunity for more education and resources.

  • There was strong interest in building peer networks where service providers can support each other, share strategies, and manage stress more effectively, especially to reduce the risk of compassion fatigue or vicarious trauma.

  • While many were excited about returning to in-person work, some also felt anxious, highlighting the need for workplaces to offer flexibility and mental health supports during transitions.

Project Outreach

While the project began in Ottawa, it also reached service providers in British Columbia. Staff from Toronto and Vancouver have since been invited to join the Community of Practice. There are plans to continue growing this network across Canada, and possibly internationally, so more service providers can benefit.

Resources Created