To link directly to this toolkit from your websites, use this link: [Health.mil/MentalHealthToolkit].
Mental health is vital to the well-being of all patients, and readiness of our military forces. During Mental Health Month and all year long, we're focusing on an aspect of mental health that has been especially prominent recently – burnout.
Messages for Communicators
What is burnout?
- Burnout isn’t a clinical condition, but a way of describing feelings link to or caused by chronic, unmanaged workplace stress.
- Feelings linked to burnout include exhaustion, emotional distance, feelings of negativity.
- People experience burnout in different ways. Common ways of experiencing burnout include:.
- Loss of motivation at a job you used to be passionate about.
- Lashing out at colleagues or family members.
- Depression or anxiety.
- Being overly self-critical.
- A common sign of burnout in the medical field is compassion fatigue.
Risks and Signs of Burnout
- Signs of burnout include anxiety, irritability, disengagement, low mood, and exhaustion.
- Isolation and overwork are common risks for burnout. Service members are highly motivated and driven to complete their mission.
- It is hard to pull back – even temporarily – when we demand so much of ourselves, but we must.
- If you recognize signs of burnout in yourself, colleagues, friends or family, speak up and let them know it is ok to take a break.
How to Battle Burnout:
- Self-care is critical to preventing and fighting burnout. Self-care can help to lessen the effects of workplace stress and protect against burnout and compassion fatigue.
- Take short breaks during your work day when possible.
- Perform activities to increase your happiness and peace of mind.
- They can be as simple as taking a walk, reading a book, or practicing yoga or mindfulness exercises.
- Other helpful practices to reduce burnout include:
- Focus on physical wellness
- Maintain and cultivate social relationships
- Establish work-life balance
- Set emotional boundaries
- Seek professional help. Talk to you primary care provider about effective, evidence-based treatments that can help battle burnout.
- This includes telemental health and web and mobile applications to support treatment and self-care.
- Leaders can play an important role battling burnout.
- Cultivate a positive work environment that lifts everyone up.
- Kudos, praise, caring gestures, and recognition go a long way.
- Be supportive of team members if they report burnout.
- MHS mental health providers are trained in numerous evidence-based interventions to treat a wide range of conditions, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, adjusting to the rigors of military service, sleep disturbances, and relationship problems.
- These interventions support service members in a number of settings, including primary care, specialty care, deployed, and training environments.
Burnout in Health Providers
- MHS providers are driven by our mission to serve our patients, we are used to giving our all, every day.
- The COVID-19 pandemic has placed medical providers on the frontlines, and added stress to already challenging health care delivery workplaces.
- It 's hard to pull back – even temporarily – when circumstances demand so much of us.
- Recognize the signs of burnout (anxiety, irritability, disengagement, exhaustion, low mood, isolation).
- Practicing self-care can help to lessen the effects of workplace stressors and help protect against burnout and compassion fatigue.
- Health providers need help just like everyone else. Reaching out is a sign of strength.
- Take a break when you see the signs – distract yourself briefly (about 10 minutes) with activities you know will increase your happiness and peace of mind.
- Find meaningful social connections for support.
Graphics
Suggested social media message: Burnout in the workplace is a real challenge for #MHS medical providers, service members and others in the military medical community. Two years operating in the COVID-19 pandemic created conditions that contribute to burnout, like overwork, isolation, and increased occupational stress. A strong sense of community is a one of the best ways to #BattleBurnout. Remember that we’re #InThisTogether, and check out this page to learn about signs of burnout. https://tricare.mil/HealthWellness/Featured-Health-Topic
#MentalFlex
Suggested social media message: Workplace burnout describes feelings associated or caused by chronic, unmanaged workplace stress. Signs of burnout include: Loss of motivation at a job you used to be passionate about, lashing out at colleagues or family members, depression or anxiety, and being overly self-critical. Learn more about resources to help you #BattleBurnout at https://www.militaryonesource.mil/confidential-help/non-medical-counseling/. #InThisTogether #MentalFlex
Suggested social media message:Service members are highly motivated and mission-focused, but we all need to take breaks to #BattleBurnout. Self-care can be as simple as taking 10-minute breaks during the work day, reading a book, or taking a walk to decompress. https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/stress-coping/care-for-yourself/index.html #InThisTogether #MentalFlex
Suggested social media message: While many people may feel that their mental health is out of their control, effective treatment is available. You can find resources here https://www.tricare.mil/mentalhealth #InThisTogether #MentalFlex #BattleBurnout
Suggested social media message: Mental health is just important as physical health. The Psychological Health Resource Center is available 24/7 to service members, veterans, clinicians, and their families at (866) 966-1020 or
www.health.mil/PHRC #InThisTogether #MentalFlex #BattleBurnout
Suggested social media message: May is Mental Health Awareness Month. We’re #InThisTogether to #BattleBurnout to strengthen our mental health and resiliency – as a community! https://www.militaryonesource.mil/confidential-help/non-medical-counseling/ #MentalFlex
Suggested social media message: We are all #InThisTogether! You can help others by sharing how you #BattleBurnout in the workplace, and what types of #SelfCare you practice. Let’s hear from you! #MentalFlex
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