Wesley LifeForce is a national program delivering suicide prevention services, training, and community networks across Australia. Staff in this sector face sustained emotional intensity and complex interpersonal demands, heightening the risk of stress-related outcomes (Hobfoll et al., 2018). Despite this, the psychosocial work environment of suicide prevention practitioners remains under-researched. This study examined the psychosocial conditions at LifeForce, identifying strengths and opportunities for improvement, and benchmarked results against newly established Australian norms (Rahimi et al., 2025).
In April 2025, LifeForce staff completed the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ-III), a validated instrument assessing 25 domains across job demands, resources, and wellbeing outcomes (Berthelsen et al., 2020). Responses were analysed in relation to national benchmarks to identify protective factors supporting resilience, as well as risks requiring targeted intervention.
Results highlighted both the challenges and resilience factors within suicide prevention work. While staff reported experiencing the emotional demands inherent in their roles, they also identified strong protective resources, including autonomy, supportive leadership, and a strong sense of purpose. These appeared to buffer the impact of high demands and foster ongoing engagement. Some interpersonal challenges were also noted, pointing to opportunities for strengthening team cohesion and communication.
The study reinforces the importance of balancing high job demands with robust psychosocial resources, consistent with the Job Demands-Resources and Conservation of Resources frameworks (Bakker & Demerouti, 2017; Hobfoll et al., 2018). Benchmarking against national norms provides valuable context, illustrating where LifeForce demonstrates strong performance and where additional support may be beneficial. Following completion and analysis of the research, LifeForce commenced implementing a series of strategies including reflective practice sessions, mindfulness-based self-care initiatives, and enhanced supervision. These initiatives were aimed at strengthening psychological safety, supporting resilience, and addressing interpersonal challenges. This study offers empirical benchmarking to inform workforce wellbeing initiatives within the Australian suicide prevention sector.
Workforce wellbeing is central to sustainable and effective suicide prevention. By translating psychosocial assessment into practical interventions, LifeForce provides a sector-relevant model for protecting and strengthening those doing this critical work. These insights offer valuable guidance for organisations across the suicide prevention sector seeking to embed workforce wellbeing as a foundation for sustainable impact.