ABSTRACT
Studies suggested that mental health professionals – in community and inpatient settings – experience high levels of stress and burnout. It is a common belief that substance use work is distressing and that professionals are vulnerable to increased psychological morbidity and burnout. Burnout is defined as encompassing three elements and can have major impacts on the nature of any treatment or care planning for people experiencing mental health–substance use problems. Components of work related stress include: factors intrinsic to the job, role in the, organisation, relationships within the work arena, career development, organisational structure, and non–work factors. Mental health–substance use problems present a number of potential stressors to professionals. Recognising these potential stressors, and putting into place strategies that proactively support professionals, and enable individuals to receive the most effective treatment interventions, should be a priority for all those tasked with developing services.
