Let's Talk TACTICS. The 'How to' of communication to address Moral Injury in the workplace.
| Thursday, May 21, 2026 |
| 9:23 PM - 9:24 PM |
Speaker
Ms Malinda Guest
Director And Principal Clinical Psychologist
Boundless Psychology
Let's Talk TACTICS. The 'How to' of communication to address Moral Injury in the workplace.
Abstract Document
Moral injury risk presents a significant challenge across personal and organisational contexts, particularly when individuals are exposed to events that conflict with their values, ethical frameworks, or sense of identity (Litz et al., 2009; Williamson et al., 2021). Recovery requires a dual responsibility: individuals must engage in proactive strategies for their own wellbeing (Shay, 2014), while leaders and organisations are responsible for creating environments that minimise exposure to potentially morally injurious events (Litz & Kerig, 2019; Brock & Lettini, 2012). Organisational cultures and leadership practices strongly influence moral injury risk, with poor leadership and unclear communication compounding harm (Williamson et al., 2021). Leaders who prioritise psychological safety, transparent decision-making, and early intervention are better able to mitigate risks and protect their teams. A critical leadership skill is effective communication—clear, compassionate conversations help prevent misunderstanding, reduce distress, and support recovery (Cochrane, 2023). These communication strategies are relevant to individuals, leaders, and all levels of management.
The Let’s Talk TACTICS program contributes by embedding structured communication strategies within individuals, families, workplaces, and communities. Unlike initiatives that encourage mental health check-ins without practical skills, TACTICS provides a step-by-step framework to initiate, navigate, and progress sensitive conversations. Evidence shows skills-based communication frameworks improve confidence, help-seeking, and treatment adherence (ScienceDirect, 2025; Cochrane, 2023), reduce stigma when paired with empathy (Journals of Psychology, 2022), and strengthen resilience by addressing communication barriers that exacerbate mental health difficulties (Frontiers in Psychiatry, 2022).
Over the past 12 months, TACTICS has been implemented across communities with consistently positive feedback: participants report it is practical, easy to use, and increases willingness to engage in meaningful conversations. It has also been applied in diverse organisational settings, including succession planning with the Rural Financial Counselling Service and staff development with Telstra, demonstrating adaptability across personal, workplace, and leadership contexts.
Scalability is central to addressing moral injury risk within organisations. Programs must extend reach, maintain fidelity, and adapt to diverse populations to sustain long-term impact (ISAT, 2019; WHO, 2020). TACTICS has been designed for scalable nationwide implementation, with flexible delivery across schools, workplaces, and community groups, including urban, regional, and remote areas. This scalability ensures leaders and managers can embed preventative communication strategies broadly, actively enhancing workplace safety and reducing exposure to morally injurious experiences.
Ultimately, TACTICS strengthens personal resilience, leadership capacity, and organisational culture—equipping individuals, leaders, and teams at all levels with the communication skills needed to reduce moral injury risk and support healthier, safer communities.
The Let’s Talk TACTICS program contributes by embedding structured communication strategies within individuals, families, workplaces, and communities. Unlike initiatives that encourage mental health check-ins without practical skills, TACTICS provides a step-by-step framework to initiate, navigate, and progress sensitive conversations. Evidence shows skills-based communication frameworks improve confidence, help-seeking, and treatment adherence (ScienceDirect, 2025; Cochrane, 2023), reduce stigma when paired with empathy (Journals of Psychology, 2022), and strengthen resilience by addressing communication barriers that exacerbate mental health difficulties (Frontiers in Psychiatry, 2022).
Over the past 12 months, TACTICS has been implemented across communities with consistently positive feedback: participants report it is practical, easy to use, and increases willingness to engage in meaningful conversations. It has also been applied in diverse organisational settings, including succession planning with the Rural Financial Counselling Service and staff development with Telstra, demonstrating adaptability across personal, workplace, and leadership contexts.
Scalability is central to addressing moral injury risk within organisations. Programs must extend reach, maintain fidelity, and adapt to diverse populations to sustain long-term impact (ISAT, 2019; WHO, 2020). TACTICS has been designed for scalable nationwide implementation, with flexible delivery across schools, workplaces, and community groups, including urban, regional, and remote areas. This scalability ensures leaders and managers can embed preventative communication strategies broadly, actively enhancing workplace safety and reducing exposure to morally injurious experiences.
Ultimately, TACTICS strengthens personal resilience, leadership capacity, and organisational culture—equipping individuals, leaders, and teams at all levels with the communication skills needed to reduce moral injury risk and support healthier, safer communities.
Biography
Malinda Guest is a Clinical Psychologist and Director of Boundless Psychology, with extensive experience across public and private health settings, supporting and treating a range of mental health conditions.
With a deep understanding of the power of effective communication, Malinda created the Let’s Talk TACTICS program to equip individuals, workplaces, and communities with practical tools for meaningful conversations—particularly around sensitive and complex topics such as moral injury, trauma, and suicide. Unlike one-off initiatives, TACTICS provides a structured, sustainable framework that has been rolled out in diverse contexts, both locally and nationally. From individuals to leaders, families to workplaces, participants consistently report it is practical, easy to use, and confidence-building, proving its relevance across personal, professional, and community settings.
Trained in evidence-based therapies including EMDR, CBT, DBT, ACT, and the Gottman Method, Malinda brings a diverse and tailored approach to mental health care. She is a Board-Approved Supervisor, committee member with the APS Rural and Remote Interest Group, and a mentor through the Country Education Foundation. Currently, she is further developing her leadership skills through the National Farmers’ Federation’s Diversity in Leadership Program.
Malinda regularly speaks at events and panels, advocating for accessible, compassionate mental health care particularly in rural Australia.
