Promoting Burnout Prevention Through a Socio-Ecological Lens

There has been increased attention on the role of indirect trauma and the need for burnout prevention for behavioral health workers. Though frontline workers traditionally serve high needs and vulnerable populations, pandemic challenges have involved service delivery pivots to meet social distancing and safety guidelines, and have resulted in staff shortages and increased caseloads, increased use of maladaptive coping skills such as substance use, and increased mental health concerns within the workforce. Secondary traumatic stress and vicarious trauma within the workforce have often been linked with increased feelings of burnout. A socio-ecological model can provide a multilevel framework for addressing burnout and increasing resiliency among frontline workers. This article discusses recommendations for preventing burnout on an individual, interpersonal, organizational, community, and societal level. Prevention interventions include increasing training, mentorship, peer support, supervision, organizational culture, and interdisciplinary licensure efforts.