Mind Blank

We are a unique community-driven response to national mental health priorities.
Donate
This is an icon used to find out more information on the website.

How to Avoid Burnout

It is an undisputed fact that many sectors at an occupational area at risk of work-related stress and psycho-social disorders amongst employees. Although Australian businesses remain well placed to deal with the economic shocks from the COVID pandemic, a large number of workers in the community have not been so fortunate. 

A rise in work related stress, particularly amongst employees who deal with traumatised customers as part of their everyday workload has become apparent. Stress may come from servicing customers who are expecting unrealistic levels of support or from clients who did not quite get the service they were expecting.

Angry, argumentative or traumatised customers express strong emotions and these can trigger strong physical reactions in front line workers. Whether these emotions are expressed in person, over the telephone or in an email, the effect is the same. When such incidents are experienced regularly and repeatedly over time, they have a detrimental effect on the body and can eventually lead to serious physical and mental health issues.

Knowing the signs of acute stress in ourselves and our co-workersor employees is a good first step to helping stop a trajectory into burnout. Symptoms of stress are well documented and include - being easily agitated,feeling overwhelmed, experiencing low self-esteem, constant worrying, up set stomach, including diarrhea and nausea, increased use of alcohol, drugs, or cigarettes - the list goes on.

Ongoing training such as mindfulness classes, mental health first aide or courses on emotional intelligence can provide individuals with tools and strategies for self-care when dealing with difficult situations. Your workplace may even offer such activities during office hours. It is an essential first step to being equipped with wellbeing skills.  It is however certainly not the end of the story given that we live in a competitive world where there are never ending deadlines and the ongoing invested interest of the pursuit of profits.  So, what are some simple cost effective care strategies individuals can employ?

One of the most proven and effective ways of maintaining good emotional health is to connect with others talk it out. It’s so simple that it can be overlooked, however, if you share your concerns and stressors with someone if can release stress instantly. Keep an eye out for a good listener,as it is important to reach out to the right people who you trust that can actually support you. At work it could be an impromptu debriefing with respected peers after difficult client meetings. At home it could be a simple phone call with a friend. It is an easy and immediate first step toward combatting the accumulation of stress and has relatively little to no costs involved.

Regrettably, workers in the sector report feeling their career prospects may be damaged if they discuss their anxiety or mental health with co-workers and/or supervisors. The resulting culture of silence can severely impact the mental health and productivity of an organisation. Stigma of the sort will not be overcome overnight and will require a strategic plan and leadership buy in to prepare for a culture of wellness.  

As an individual one of the best things we can do to minimise the mental health impacts of a stressful job is to schedule time for family, friends and social activities outside work. The demands and rewards that go hand in hand with working in the financial sector can be extreme and workers typically struggle with this work/life balance. Employees who are the happiest and most productive are those who set boundaries for themselves. Not responding to work texts and emails at home are one of the obvious but effective rules we can implement to help us maintain our work/life perspective.The use of structure and ritual to mark the beginning and end of the work day is not uncommon but becomes vitally important during the work from home exodus during COVID lock downs. Rituals are unique and personal. For some they lie in the commute, for others it’s simply a change of clothes or a walk or run before or after work.

Sharing your own coping strategies and ideas with peers and colleagues serves to not only pass on potentially lifesaving ideas and strategies for avoiding burnout, but goes a long way toward dismantling stigma and building a culture of open discussion about mental health in the work place.

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 20, 2021
Children

Read more
February 20, 2021
Workplace

Through interactive workshops Mind Blank is able to help promote a positive workplace culture within targeted employers which can lead to greater awareness of and reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues within the workplace and our communities.

Read more
February 20, 2021
Anxiety in Children

Anxiety in Children. What are the causes? Click here to find out more through our online blog page.

Read more
February 20, 2021
Bullying In Schools

Find out about how bullying in schools can effecting children’s mental health. Be proactive about prevention today.

Read more
February 20, 2021
Dealing with a Changing World COVID 19

We are all dealing with a changing world. This blog will feature some top tips to help easing out of lockdown.

Read more
February 20, 2021
Depression Awareness

Depression in young adults is not something to take lightly. We believe that no one needs to suffer alone.

Read more
February 20, 2021
Body Image & Self Perception

Body Image issues in Young Adults is a subject we all need to talk about.

Read more
February 20, 2021
Understanding Anxiety

Anxiety what are the facts and how to deal with it?

Read more
February 20, 2021
Suicide Prevention: Creating a Future for our Young People

Suicide Prevention can help create a better future for our young people. Read more out more about suicide prevetion via our online blog series.

Read more
February 20, 2021
Award Winning Programs

In 2017 Mind Blanks efforts were recognised in winning the Mental Health Matters Award for Mental Health Promotion, and in 2019 the team was presented with the Mental Health Services Award for Mental Illness Prevention.

Read more
February 20, 2021
Why Are Early Intervention Programs Important?

Mind Blank early intervention programs are known from winning award recognition in the mental health sector. Our award-winning programs have toured Australia wide. Enquire within.

Read more
February 20, 2021
Program Evaluation

Mind Blank program evaluations encourage seek to understand our effectiveness against our intended goals. Want more info? Get in touch today.

Read more
February 20, 2021
Crisis Numbers

You may be looking for some additional help-seeking service support. Please note that Mind Blank itself does not provide crisis intervention or counselling, there are some help-seeking phone numbers and helplines provided on this page. If you are in need of urgent support or are worried about someone, please contact your local doctor or call emergency services on 000.

Read more
February 20, 2021
Mental Health Support - How To Help?

Want to know what can you do to help support someone who is struggling? Here are our top 6 tips.

Read more
February 20, 2021
Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association Collaboration

Mind Blank is proud to announce that we have made an alliance with the Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association.

Read more
February 20, 2021
Activities To Give Your Mental Health A Boost

This article will feature's ways that you can boost your mental well-being.

Read more
February 20, 2021
Nature and Nurture

Nature and spending time outdoors are great for your mental health. Read on to find out why?

Read more
February 20, 2021
‍Child Adolescent Mental Health Conference 2021

The Child & Adolescent Mental Health Conference is designed to provide practical, relevant information and strategies for professionals to apply directly to their work supporting the mental health of children and adolescents from 3-19 years of age.

Read more
February 20, 2021
Whistleblower Policy

Click here to find out more about the Mind Blank Ltd Whistle Blower policy.

Read more
February 20, 2021
Fundraising Privacy Collection Statement

Are you thinking of making a donation to Mind Blank? Click here to find out more about Mind Blank Ltd's fundraising and collection policy.

Read more
February 20, 2021
Mental Health Connect

Mind Blank is proud to work alongside the Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association to help support The Mental Health Connect 2020 Online Expo. Click here to find out more.

Read more
February 20, 2021
Workplace Mental Health

This article features 10 insights regarding Workplace Mental Health. Find out what signs you can look out for when it comes to COVID 19.

Read more
February 20, 2021
Sustainable Development Goal 3

Mind Blank’s mission is supportive of Sustainable Development Goal 3.4 By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being. Find out how we complement making an impact in the community.

Read more
February 20, 2021
How to Prevent Felling Depressed

Have you been feeling a little blue lately? This article will show you 10 things you can do to support your mental health today!

Read more
February 20, 2021
Mind Blank secures Mental Awareness Foundation (MAF) funding to support hundreds of Brisbane Students

Over the coming months Mind Blank will perform theatrical workshops to over 1.000 Brisbane students focusing on early intervention and mental health help-seeking tactics.

Read more
February 20, 2021
How the pandemic has affected cognitive development in kids

A discussion of the different stages and ways to promote cognitive development in children as well as the role of the pandemic.

Read more
February 20, 2021
Youth Mental Health Summit in Canterbury-Bankstown, NSW

Mind Blank were very excited to run their first in-person NSW workshop in two years! Canterbury-Bankstown City Council invited Mind Blank to engage local teens at the Youth Mental Health Summit in Belmore in April.

Read more
February 20, 2021
Cigna Employee Joins Mind Blank for Community Ambassador Fellowship

Kristal Ruiz joins Mind Blank to expand their Workplace Mental Health Awareness Program as a Community Ambassador Fellow.

Read more