Don't Overwork Yourself Trying To Help Those With Mental Illness

[MainerMikeBrown]

If you work in the mental health field, doing your best to try to help those struggling with mental illness is commendable (and necessary).

However, you don't want to overwork yourself either. You don't want to risk getting burned out. If you do, you won't be able to help anyone.

I wouldn't recommend working seventy plus hours per week as a mental health worker or mental health professional on a consistent basis for years or decades. Helping people matters. But you don't want it to be your whole life, I think.

Also, doing things to help prevent burnout is a plus. For example, reading books on topics that have nothing to do with mental illness every so often is something one of my instructors in college recommended to help prevent burnout.

So again, if you try to help those with mental illness, do your best. However, don't try to do too much.

 

[MainerMikeBrown]

I've worked with some mental health workers and mental health professionals over the years who were workaholics.

 

[Hurt&Hopeful]

I've worked with some mental health workers and mental health professionals over the years who were workaholics.

I wasn't a mental health worker, but I worked with a church for many years. I spent most of my time working with people who were hurting, sick, and often traumatized/angry. I was there when they made bad decisions (like we all do, myself included) and destroyed lives and relationships. I took it all so much to heart and was so invested. I didn't take care of my mental health at all, and I eventually burned out and went through a severe breakdown. I am lucky to still be here, and I'm older and wiser now. But I second this thought - those with the natural pull towards 'helping' lines of work tend to feel like it's their duty to go all in and end up sacrificing themselves in a way that helps no-one. It's a little self-absorbed, in a backwards way. Like a martyr complex. Eventually, I was the broken one, making some super bad decisions that hurt relationships.

It's hard to explain what I learned from that experience, but I'll try. First, helping others has to come from a place of equality. Those with resources/training to help are not saviors or superhuman. If they see themselves that way, they will eventually fail. I came from a place of privilege, and thought that someho made me stronger - it didn't. Second, we are all on a journey. Even the therapists and other helpers. Third, everyone needs self-care and care from others.