Yes, we do get burn-out. Some of us will feel it more than others but we all go through it. While what we do is rewarding and inspiring it is also draining, burdensome, and challenging. All human beings regardless of their age face traumas and have their own personal and medical problems. More now in times of social isolation, dealing with so many mental health problems, and going through a global pandemic, we are frontline workers responding to many crises.
Social workers are caring people that help to solve other people’s problems or assist them to cope with demanding situations. Caring for others takes a toll and if we don’t take care of ourselves, we burn out or become numb.
Potential causes of social worker burnout include
- Increased client needs
- High caseloads
- Low wages
- Limited resources
- Organizational structures and stressors
- Ethical dilemmas
- Workplace conflict
- Funding concerns
- Unsafe situations
- Inability to detach from clients’ issues or taking on their problems
- Secondary trauma
- Exposure to abuse, poverty, and social and racial inequities
- Financial stress
- Funding requirements
- Deadlines
What to do when this happens:
• Set boundaries, follow a work schedule with a start and end time. Take breaks between your clients and other work-related activities. Be clear and concise with your clients regarding your working hours and the time allotted for each activity. Be mindful of your time.
• Establish a time to eat, rest, and do fun activities besides your work.
• Make time for YOU! Do something creative to relieve stress. Listen to your favorite music, start journaling and do some art to reduce stress. Any leisure activity that soothes you and makes you feel restored is an excellent self-care strategy. Going for walks or to the gym.
• During interventions or interactions, we tend to internalize some of our client’s troubles. It is important to recognize when we are absorbing some of their problems which can lead to emotional fatigue. When you feel like that it is time to take time off from work, just remember mental health days!!! Vacation days are awesome as well.
• Many companies offer employee assistance programs which are voluntary, employer-sponsored programs that help employees navigate stressful life circumstances. Take advantage of this and schedule your free sessions today. If this is not available for you, find a friend or family, or a therapist that you can open up to and that can offer guidance and advice. You can create your own support group at work. They are fun to have!
Don’t wait until it is too late to deal with social worker stress! You can start making changes to prevent feeling burnout or experiencing compassion fatigue.
Brenda Rivera, BSW
