Job Burnout Among Mental Health Staff at a Veterans Affairs Psychosocial Rehabilitation Center

Mental health providers who serve clients with severe mental illness may be particularly prone to job burnout given the nature of the work. This study examined levels of job burnout among mental health providers who serve clients with severe mental illness. Forty-two mental health staff at a Veterans Affairs psychosocial rehabilitation center completed an online survey that assessed burnout and work-life balance. Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) scores were compared to published scores of workers in other professions. Participants reported moderate MBI Emotional Exhaustion, Depersonalization, and Personal Accomplishment scores and overall had lower burnout scores than other healthcare providers and service workers. Being younger and white were associated with higher MBI Emotional Exhaustion scores. These findings suggest job burnout among mental health staff is a concern that should be closely monitored even among staff who express a sense of personal accomplishment from the work.