Understanding the Mental Health and Well-Being Needs of Non-Profit Organizations on PEI

The Community Sector Network of PEI and the PEI Alliance for Mental Well-Being have released a report titled, Understanding the Mental Health and Well-Being Needs of Non-Profit Organizations on PEI. This report details the results of a January 2023 survey facilitated in partnership by the two organizations.  

Over three years since the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 global pandemic and over six months since Hurricane Fiona hit Prince Edward Island, long-standing challenges in the non-profit sector have grown. The survey results reiterate great levels of stress on staff and volunteers from factors like intensifying client needs, juggling work and home responsibilities, and pivoting priorities based on needs in the community.  

Key survey results: 

• High employee morale is trending downward. 49% of respondents ranked staff morale at 4 out of 5 prior to the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic. Only 27% ranked staff morale at 4 out of 5 post-Hurricane Fiona. 
• 74% of respondents reported seeing signs of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion in their staff. 
• The top three factors negatively impacting the mental well-being and morale of staff and volunteers were reported as: fatigue from juggling work/home responsibilities (73%), increasing demands from personal responsibilities (70%), and pivoting priorities based on current activities and needs in our community (52%). 
• The top three factors positively impacting the mental well-being and morale of staff and volunteers were reported as: workplace culture (64%), workplace colleagues (64%), and flexible work hours (64%). 

The full survey report is available in PDF format: Understanding the Mental Health and Well-Being Needs of Non-Profit Organizations on PEI.