I’m Frustrated

But I’m Not Ready to Give Up

male with beard and straight face

Burnout in the work of suicide prevention happens to the best of us. Many of us who stay involved over the long haul do what we do because we are compassionate, giving people. Sometimes, we are not always as good at self-care as we are at taking care of others. Others of us stay involved because we see the fruits of our persistence, and then the winds of change blow in the other direction, and the setbacks are crushing.

We need you, so if you are up to it, here are some steps to take to renew the warrior. (If you are not up to it, that’s okay too. See next step in the Life Cycle: Retiring)

Take a break. Step away from the work for a period of time to gain perspective. Unplug as much as you can, and notice what comes up for you.
Step up the self-care. Sleep. Exercise. Nutrition. Spiritual practices. Therapy. Peer support. Vacations. Schedule it.
Make new connections. Attend a new conference or local coalition meeting. Developing new friendships in the field can provide new sources of support.
Invest in professional development. Learn a new skill. Stretch your purpose in a new direction.