Burnout Among Mental Health Professionals in India: A Qualitative Enquiry

Burnout poses a significant occupational risk to mental health professionals (MHPs), compromising the quality of care provided to clients and eroding clinicians' overall well-being. There is a dearth of studies examining burnout in MHPs within the Indian context. The unique challenges faced by Indian MHPs necessitate localised research. Context-specific research is vital for grasping the complexities of burnout among Indian MHPs.

The present study intends to explore three research questions: (a) How do MHPs experience burnout in Indian setting? (b) What are the factors that contribute to burnout among MHPs? (c) What are the strategies used by MHPs to cope with burnout?

To develop an insight about these research questions, the researchers used a semi-structured interview schedule and interviewed eight MHPs (five females and three males; age range: 28-50 years). After acquiring consent from each participant, the interview was audio-recorded and manually transcribed by the researchers. Data were analysed using thematic analysis based on the conceptualisation given by Braun and Clarke.

Three major themes were developed: (a) experiences of burnout: being in a bind, (b) facets of burnout: candle burning from both sides and (c) protective factors of burnout: a ray of hope, along with subsequent sub-themes and minor themes.

The study significantly enhances the burnout literature by providing contextualised accounts of its effects on diverse MHPs in India. Through in-depth explorations, it sheds new light on burnout among Indian MHPs, sharing their personal stories and offering a rich tapestry of experiences. The data underscore the critical need for prioritising practitioner well-being.