Strengthening Safety and Emotional Wellness is a companion resource to the original Safety and Health in Nonprofits (SHiN) guide, which pulled together information customized to nonprofits to help operationalize physical safety and health. This toolkit includes a PDF guide, a video, and four on-demand webinar recordings. The guide is designed to provide practical strategies that will enhance individual and organizational capacity for managing stressors and recovering from critical incidents. The information shared in this toolkit is meant to build individual and organizational knowledge, awareness, and understanding. These resources are not meant for diagnostic purposes.
What We Cover in Strengthening Safety and Emotional Wellness
Introduction
- Why talk about safety, emotional wellness, and mental health in nonprofits?
- What do we mean by safety and emotional wellness?
Part 1: Promoting Workplace Safety through Practical Strategies and Principles of Trauma-Informed Care
- Understanding stress and trauma
- Common nonprofit wellness concerns
- Principles of Trauma-Informed Care
- Strategies to strengthen worker safety and emotional wellness
Part 2: Identifying and De-escalating a Mental Health Crisis
- What is a mental health issue?
- Common mental health disorders
- De-escalation strategies
- Recognizing common mental health crises
- Mental health treatment and recovery
Strengthening Safety and Emotional Wellness: Starter Materials
- This section of the guide provides a variety of resources ranging from checklists to worksheets.
Strengthening Safety and Emotional Wellness Guide
Strengthening Safety and Emotional Wellness is a companion resource to the original Safety and Health in Nonprofits (SHiN) Guide. The guide is designed to provide practical strategies that will enhance individual and organizational capacity for managing stressors and recovering from critical incidents.
Download the GuideStrengthening Safety and Emotional Wellness Video
The Safety and Health in Nonprofits: Strengthening Safety and Emotional Wellness video is an introduction to the topic and it’s importance in nonprofits.
Recorded Webinars
In the spring of 2026 NAWA hosted a series of webinars on safety and emotional wellness topics. Check out the recordings to dive deeper.
Burnout & Secondary Stress
Recorded on March 10, 2026
Personal Safety & Selfcare Plans in the Workplace
Recorded on April 15, 2026
Trauma Informed Supervision
Recorded on May 27, 2026
Managing Critical Incidents and Return to Work
Recorded on June 3, 2026
Additional Resources
Check out these organizations that provide additional resources for employee safety and emotional wellness.
Mental Health Education & Advocacy Organizations
Trauma-Informed Care & Trauma Resources
Workplace Mental Health & Safety
- Center for Workplace Mental Health
- Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (Workplace Safety & Health)
Substance Use & Mental Health Treatment Resources
Crisis Support & Suicide Prevention
Continue Learning
Looking for somethingthing else? Check out all of NAWA’s resources and upcoming events on nonprofit human resources on the By Topic – Human Resources page.
Important Note: Information shared in this guide is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to assess, treat, or diagnose any medical or mental health condition. Nothing in this content should be construed or assumed to constitute personal or professional consultation, supervision, advice, clinical assessment, guidance, treatment, therapy, diagnosis, or to replace medical or mental health treatment.
Funding and support for this project has been provided by the State of Washington, Department of Labor & Industries, Safety & Health Investment Projects.
