WHY IS MENTAL HEALTH A PERSISTENT GLOBAL CRISES

By Victor, Omebiro

The world is moving in a fast-paced manner and most people often overlook importance of their mental health. One of the major and common challenges of mental health is burnout. Burnout is a serious issue and affects students, professionals, and even caregivers. Burnout may feel in its early stage as a simple stress but gradually develops into a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion that affects every area of life.

BURNOUT

Let’s elaborate on what burnout truly entails. Burnout is goes beyond the tiredness you feel after a long day. It is thus a prolonged response to chronic stress. It often develops when you feel overwhelmed, unable to meet tasks for the day, and emotionally drained. Burnout overtime leads to reduced productivity, detachment, and sense of helplessness.

Common signs of Burnout are; Constant fatigue, Loss of motivation, increased irritability, mood swings, difficulty concentrating, and feeling disconnected.

Burnout in most cases leads to anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions if less concern is given to it.

MENTAL HEALTH AND BURNOUT; how are they linked?

Mental health and burnout are closely connected. According to popular research, people with poor mental health are vulnerable to burnout. Burnout itself can worsen the mental health of people. Poor mental health can make individuals more vulnerable to burnout, while burnout itself can worsen mental health conditions. For example, someone experiencing chronic stress at work may begin to feel anxious or depressed, which in turn reduces their ability to be productive at work.

People tend to ignore early warning signs which unfortunately often leads to deeper cycle of tiredness and emotional strain.

What causes Burnout?

i. Long Work Hours: Many individuals face unrealistic expectations, tight schedule & deadlines, and heavy workloads. The pressure of performing with consistency could become overwhelming for them.

ii. Work-life Balance: Many people work beyond office hours, allowing very little time to connect with their social and personal life

iii. Finances: Rising cost of living and economic uncertainty could actively affect the mental health of an individual, with the need to carryon multiple jobs and work extra shifts

iv. Social Media: Constant exposure to social media content depicting fancy lifestyles could add pressure to an individual, affecting self-esteem and mental well-being 

v. Support: Feeling no backing from family or co-workers can make little challenges feel heavier than they should and thus difficult to manage.

What is Mental Health? 


This is why Mental Health matters:

Mental health is much more than the absence of illness, it is also about emotional resilience, clarity of mind, and ability to confront challenges. Good mental health improves productivity, interpersonal relationship, and overall quality of life.

This is how to manage Burnout:

Burnout is preventable and could also be managed with the right strategies:

i. Set boundaries; Learn to say ‘NO’ when necessary and avoid overcommitting. It helps you protect your time and energy.

ii. Take breaks; Short breaks during the day and longer rest periods are absolutely important for recovery and focus

iii. Exercise: Staying physically active helps reduce stress, boost energy, and improve mood

iv. Communication: Talking to someone where necessary is also an important way to relieve and provide perspective.

v. Meditation: Learn to practice mindfulness, deep breathing, or reading to help reduce stress

vi. Professional help: It is never wrong to seek professional help where necessary. It could be a crucial step towards recovery.