Experiencing Burnout - Sharon 22

Burning the candle at both ends

Charity, a young college student in her second year, comes from a family that isn’t well off, so she has to go the extra mile to get money for her daily needs. Being a student is already hard enough, yet she had to look for other side gigs to make extra money to support herself. This means she has to create time to study and accommodate 2 or 3 jobs in her daily schedule. Yet, she works very hard and has so much strength and a lot of willpower.

Seeking support / Listening ear

When she reached out to 1190, she sounded low and defeated. Her first statement was, “I am so tired. I have so much to do, but I have no strength. I want to give up everything”. She continued and expressed that she felt tired and lethargic. She said she thought she had reached the end and had no more energy left. She was honest and vulnerable, detailing what she was going through and admitted that she could not continue without support. The therapist assured her she was right to call and would be supported to restore her energy and mental health.

Managing her Burnout

She shared that she felt relieved to know what was happening to her. However, she admitted she had been doing too much and overstretched herself. She and her therapist discussed the importance of self-care and some self-care activities one can consider when experiencing burnout. Charity agreed to spend the weekend relaxing, away from books and work. She said she would visit her friend, spend time with her family, and spend some time alone watching movies. The session was concluded, and Charity said she would call back after two weeks to give feedback on her feelings.