The phenomenon of burnout within helping professions – including educators – has been known since the 1970s, and by now a solid research and practical intervention basis exists
linked to it. However, burnout continues to be a severe issue until today.
Also experiencing the covid pandemic outbreak in spring 2020 and its effects on people in general but especially on health- and social care workers. They are trained to help others with their challenges but this time they are facing their own challenges too.
Helping professionals may suffer from increased stress not only sourcing from their extreme work during the current pandemic but due to the general side effects of the crisis: financial struggles and family duties – homeschooling, taking care of elderlies.
It is crucial that these helping professionals create necessary time to reflect and build resilience in order to ground themselves well and experience growth out of what is happening.
When we are able to care for ourselves, we are stronger, more resilient. If there was ever a time for social workers to prioritize their own mental health in addition to that of the others, that time is now. Taking care of themselves will only help them to take better care of others.