IN-CJ Newsdesk 2023 – Tips and Tools for Thriving in a Critical Occupation
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In this session from the 2023 IN-CJ Newsdesk, Professor Joanna Clarke, a renowned psychologist, shared tips and tools for thriving in critical occupations. We must start by recognising the unique challenges faced by those in the criminal justice system, argues Professor Clarke. This means understanding many forms of psychological pressure, including the importance of trauma-informed approaches, stress aviation, and self-care. Jo question and answer session with John Scott discussed valuable strategies to prevent psychological harm, while boosting well-being in high-pressure environments. This session is an opportunity to reflect on insights based on Jo’s extensive experience, and can help criminal justice practitioners enhance their own mental well-being while effectively supporting others.
This IN-CJ Newsdesk session explored how people working in critical occupations – such as prison, probation, police, health care, and victim services – can protect their mental health and wellbeing while thriving in demanding and often traumatic environments.
Guest Professor Joe Clarke, a former forensic psychologist and now director of Petros, reflected on her career in prisons and probation, describing how her experiences shaped her current focus on resilience and staff wellbeing. She highlighted how criminal justice professionals frequently face extraordinary pressures but are rarely offered the tools or support to deal with them effectively.
The discussion addressed the importance of both organisational culture and individual agency. Clarke emphasised that workplace wellbeing cannot be reduced to tokenistic measures such as yoga classes or free fruit. Instead, thriving depends on staff being genuinely valued, respected, and supported by their managers and institutions. At the same time, individuals need to recognise their own warning signs of stress, develop self-care strategies, and build personal resilience.
Practical advice included techniques for coping with stress, sleep difficulties, and disclosure fears, alongside strategies such as mentoring, reflective writing, and reframing challenges. Clarke introduced the mantra “What’s Important Now?” as a simple tool for focusing attention and maintaining perspective in high-pressure situations.
The session concluded that thriving in critical occupations requires a shared responsibility. Organisations must invest in cultures of care and support, while individuals should be equipped with evidence-based techniques to manage their wellbeing. Together, these approaches can help criminal justice and other frontline professionals not just to survive, but to thrive.
Listen to the full discussion in IN-CJ Newsdesk 2023 – Tips and Tools for Thriving in a Critical Occupation.
