Burnout isn’t just stress—it’s a deeper emotional drain affecting many in high-pressure fields, according to the University of Rochester Medical Center. Director Amber Rivera says feelings of dread and detachment from once-loved work are signs of something more serious and urges a cultural shift toward self-compassion.
Rivera highlights three key symptoms: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced sense of efficacy. By practicing gratitude and recognizing small wins, she believes individuals can begin rewiring negative self-talk and prevent long-term damage.
To support this shift, URMC plans to offer mental health first aid training for trainees, a step Chief Wellbeing Officer Craig Rooney says will help normalize vulnerability. The initiative aims to empower people across professions to support mental health openly and compassionately.
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