On July 1st, 2025, BildungsLab held a virtual round table discussion with professionals from diverse fields, including youth training, social work, therapy, and education. The session gathered valuable insights on current mental health challenges and support structures within youth-focused organizations. A key participant represented the Austrian Government-funded Child and Youth Welfare Services, which offer comprehensive support to children, young people, and families. Her contribution shed light on organizational strategies aimed at maintaining staff wellbeing.
Common Challenges Identified
Participants reported several shared challenges, such as:
- Staff shortages and growing workloads
- Limited peer support due to overwork or fear of seeming unprofessional
- High administrative demands
Supervision Practices
While group supervision is common, its effectiveness is often hindered by a lack of trust. In contrast, individual coaching and supervision were seen as more impactful, though not always systematically embedded in the organizations’ long-term practices.
A Model for Success: Vienna’s “Impact Review Process”
One standout example came from Vienna’s Welfare Services, which implement the Rückkoppelungsprozess (Impact Review Process). This structure requires staff to show how coaching or training has influenced their work, ensuring long-term benefits. Participants highlighted this approach as an inspiring model for promoting self-reflection and sustainable mental health support.
The discussion revealed a strong interest in adopting similar frameworks across other institutions, emphasizing the potential of structured, reflective practices in improving staff wellbeing in youth services.
