Do you think burnout in the Mental Health Industry is sexy? (updated 11/2/2021)
Ok, hands up if you think burnout is sexy.
Yep, just what I thought. Not many hands going up. I was challenged to make this topic sexy, so that people would click on it. You know, like how they click on posts about cat filters.....
But there is nothing glamorous or sexy about burnout.
Can I tell you what else isn’t sexy?
- Dreading waking up because it means you have to go to work.
- Working with a client and realising you aren’t following what they’ve said, and you don’t particularly care.
- Feeling exhausted, but not being able to sleep because tomorrow you have to go to work.
- Wanting a holiday, but not having enough funds to take time off
- Doubting your career choices and dreaming of getting an job where you don’t have to talk to anyone and they pay you - like stacking shelves.
- Not seeing a way out
THERE IS NOTHING SEXY ABOUT NOT COPING
Do you ever find yourself saying I can’t cope? "I’m going to leave and get a job stacking shelves. It’s not worth it." Now whilst we all might say this occasionally, when does it stop being a throw away comment and reflect that you might be on a road to burnout? Do you ever feel like you can’t really talk to anyone about this because they may judge you?
Do you feel any embarrassment or shame about this?
Well. Let's get a little bit of perspective on this. Ask yourself. Did your study adequately prepare you for the high rates of burnout associated with your chosen profession?
I know that mine didn't. And yet, it's so important to longevity and enjoyment of your career, and a necessary part of Professional Development. Without a workable, flexible self-care strategy you are leaving yourself very vulnerable when coping with many of the challenges of your profession (and that doesn't even include direct client work!)
As a psychologist of over 14 years here are some challenges I have directly experienced or observed happening.
- Supervision by your employer/clinic owner resulting in a dual relationship. The person responsible for paying you and giving you referrals is also the person you are meant to expose your doubts and weaknesses to.
- Rumours being spread about you by other psychologists.
- Breaking of confidentiality after discussion with peers.
- Workplace bullying
- Unrealistic client and administration loads
- Lack of respect of boundaries, by workplaces, peers and clients
- Unrealistic performance expectations creating stress.
- Difficult managing transition between work and home life.
- Judgement by peers of clinical decisions you make (without them having any insight into how your made your decisions)
- Rampant Imposter Syndrome. Feeling that you are not good enough.
- Overdelivering of services resulting in lack of maintenance of boundaries.
- Political division with the industry, resulting in judgement from the community and peers.
- Asking for advice and getting 10 different opinions about what you should do. Resulting in undermining of your confidence.
- Lack of knowledge about what to expect when working in different clinical settings, and what your rights are.
- Being judged according to your label rather than your abilities.
The above is a sample of some of the issues you can expect to face in this profession.
It's easy to get stressed, burnout and feel it's all too much. You need intentional self care to manage the many demands the Mental Health Industry will throw at you.
Having experienced many of these and not knowing what to do at the time, I am committed to making sure that no other new or early career mental health practitioner is left feeling isolated and suffering burnout due to lack of self-care practice and support.
So, what can you do?
First of all acknowledge that burnout, coping and self-care are multi-dimensional and can be very complex.
Remember the old joke
“How do you eat an elephant?”
.
“One bite at a time”.
And that bite, is awareness.
What are you experiencing? How are you feeling? What is actually going on?
I have put together a brief resource that can help you take that first bite. This, very brief, How are you coping? resource provides you with a little bit of clarity, perspective and guidance (but no romance or glamour, definitely not sexy). You are very welcome to use it.
If I can help you in anyway you can email me at [email protected].
Until next time,
Take care of yourself and treat yourself at least as well as you treat your clients.
Kim xx
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About the Author. Kim is a private psychologist who loves working collaboratively both online and in real life with other professionals and is passionate about increasing self-care and connection in mental health professionals. She is also the founder of the Victorian Psychologists' Networking Group.
When she's not working with her clients, you can find her supporting the psychologists in the VPNG, writing and speaking; including making the podcast - Creating Connections that Matter for Mental Health Professionals.
E: kimdunn@positiveyoungminds,com.au