Module 7 – Personal (Psychological and Social) Resources Protecting Public Health Workers from Burnout

In this module we explore personal (psychological and social) resources that can help public health workers respond to a variety of demands. After reviewing this module, you should be able to:

• Identify essential psychological resources that can help public health workers respond to demands.
• Identify essential social resources that can help public health workers respond to demands.
• Explain how personal (psychological and social) resources can reduce public health workers’ risk for burnout.

1. What psychological resources do you think are especially important to you and your team?
2. What are ways you could increase those psychological resources you have available in your work environment?
3. What are social resources you think are particularly important in your work environment?
4. How could you increase the prevalence or availability of social resources in your workplace?
5. What does a workplace culture look like where workers are encouraged to refill their personal resources? How could you cultivate this type of work environment among your team?

• This Harvard Business Review article written by resilience and positive psychology expert, Dr. Seligman, provides examples of how research done on resilience in some of the most difficult occupations (military) can be applied to a broad range of business environments.
• This optimism self-check quiz was created by Human Performance Resources by CHAMP. See if you naturally tend to think and act optimistically. Consider how you could approach your work with more optimism.
• Researchers that are part of Harvard’s Work and Well-Being Initiative include tips for fostering positive social connections as one of their key principles for promoting worker well-being. This group also provides tips for increasing the psychological resource of control at work.
• The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) compiled webinars and other resources in the public health work resilience library. Some of these resources may supplement what you have learned in this training.

To receive continuing education (CE) for SCWD4656-072823 Understanding and Preventing Burnout among Public Health Workers: Unit 2 – Demands and Resources please visit CDC TRAIN and search for the course in the Course Catalog using course number 1111875. Follow the steps below by April 1, 2026.

1. Check the box for each type of CE you wish to apply for when registering for the course.
2. Complete the course.
3. Select the Mark Completed button on the course page in TRAIN.
4. Pass the post-assessment at 75%.
5. Complete the evaluation.

You can access your certificates and transcript by visiting Your Learning in TRAIN. No fees are charged for CDC’s CE activities.