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Burnout BOOM!

  • Writer: Kayleigh Webber
    Kayleigh Webber
  • Nov 4, 2022
  • 3 min read


I'm sure you've heard of the term "burnout" and although most people correctly associate the term with feelings of exhaustion, sleep deprivation, being overwhelmed, stressed and being overworked, there is more to the term.


The World Health Organisation (WHO) in the ICD-11 defines burnout as "a syndrome conceptualised as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed" and is characterised by (1) feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion, (2) increased mental distance from one's job, or feelings of negativism or syncs related to one's job and (3) reduced professional efficacy.


According to APA’s 2021 Work and Well-being Survey of 1,501 U.S. adult workers,

  • 79% of employees had experienced work-related stress in the month before the survey.

  • Nearly 3 in 5 employees reported negative impacts of work-related stress, including lack of interest, motivation, or energy (26%) and lack of effort at work (19%).

  • 36% reported cognitive weariness, 32% reported emotional exhaustion, and an astounding 44% reported physical fatigue.

Although burnout is more commonly seen in working adults, academic burnout among students is increasing at a rapid rate. Acadmeic burnout is coursed by the overwhelming load of work students are faced with that leads to side effects, including but not limited to depression, exclusion from social groups, inability to work properly and lack of motivation. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, burnout, among other mental health illnesses, have risen dramatically. Here are some general high school burnout statistics:

  • 7 out of 10 students between the ages of 13 and 17 say that anxiety and depression are significant problems among their friends

  • 75% of high school students suffer from boredom, anger, sadness, fear and stress

  • 1 out of every 5 students in the UK will experience clinical anxiety mid-course

  • 40% of students experience crippling depression

Students are facing a pandemic of their own with regards adolescent mental health. Depression, anxiety and behavioural disorders are among the leading causes of illness and disability among adolescents and suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 15-29 year-olds. Burnout is among these mental health illnesses that are engulfing our youth. Although life only gets tougher once children leave school, there are a number of things that can help them get through their schooling career and manage any feelings of burnout (because the truth is that we all experience feelings of burnout sometime or another). Here are my top tips:

  • manage your time - set up a timetable with all your subjects, school day activities, extra-mural activities, assessment dates etc. This will help you plan and prepare and limit those feelings of being overwhelmed with how busy life can get.

  • take time to do things you like - go for a walk, have coffee with a friend, have a bubble bath, spend time with your dog.

  • prepare - by having prepared your notes/homework/project in advance, you limit those stressful lastminute.com anxieties.

  • go to therapy - if you feel as though you (or someone you know) is not coping, there are mental health professionals fully equipped to help you work through why you may not be coping and equip you with the necessary tools you may need going forward.

It may seem that there is no light at the end of the tunnel for either you or someone you know suffering from burnout or any other mental health illness. I am here to tell you there is! A mental health illness is not a life sentence and deserves the same time, energy and concern as your physical health. So, take time. Check in with yourself. Check in with your spouse. Check in with your children. Check in with a friend. You are worthy of any care and support you may need.


Much love xo


Please note that this article does not serve as professional medical advice. Should you or someone you know be experiencing mental health illness symptoms, please consult a mental health care professional immediately or alternatively contact:


(1) South African Depression and Anxiety Group

To Contact A Counsellor Between 8am-8pm Monday To Sunday, Call: 011 234 4837

For A Suicidal Emergency

Call: 0800 567 567

24hr Helpline

Call:0800 456 789


(2) Zambia : Lifeline

Adults: 933

Children: 116


(3) Zimbabwe: Open Counselling

Harare Samaritans: 08012333333

Bulowayo Samaritans: 2630965000


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