Get Help for Burnout

Are you burnt out?

One in five (21%) of UK workers needed to take time off work due to stress or poor mental health in 2024, according to Mental Health UK's 'Burnout Report 2025'. But would you recognise that you - a colleague or friend - were starting to burnout?

Burn-out is defined in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) as:

“Burn-out is a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It is characterized by three dimensions:

• feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion;

• increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one's job; and

• reduced professional efficacy.

Burn-out refers specifically to phenomena in the occupational context and should not be applied to describe experiences in other areas of life.”

Burnout is experienced in many ways, and symptoms can include: decision fatigue, brain fog, restlessness and an inability to relax, going round in circles with unfinished work, taking on too much, using caffeine to get going in the morning and alcohol to wind down at night, emotional outbursts, feelings of being 'on the edge', insomnia, headaches, picking up minor illnesses more often, digestive issues, a change in being organised at home or work. 

I don't agree that burnout is only an occupational phenomenon, as our whole lives impact our work, and vice versa, but this is the definition we are currently working with.

Getting help

If you're feeling stressed or burnt out, and aren't sure where to get help, here are some UK resources:

• Speak to your GP. Identify and find help for stress on the NHS website

• Hub of Hope is an online database of support services

• Change Mental Health works across Scotland

• Adferiad works across Wales

• MindWise works across Northern Ireland

• Samaritans offer emotional support 24 hours a day - in full confidence, for anyone who is struggling. They're not only for people feeling suicidal. Call 116 123 - it's FREE or email jo@samaritans.org.uk 

• Mind have useful information about mental health at work

• The Mental Health Foundation have further resources 

• Identify and find help for burnout: Mental Health UK

• Get help through Rethink Mental Illness

• Get help from Shout, or text SHOUT to 85258

• Find a private therapist: British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)

Please speak to your manager, HR/ People team, EAP (employee assistance programme), a trusted friend or colleague, and Mental Health First Aider, or your GP if you need help.

If you have private healthcare, you may be able to access therapy that way.