Burnout among general hospital mental health professionals and the salutogenic approach

Professionals working in mental health often exhibit high levels of strain leading to poor psychological wellbeing, emotional exhaustion and depletion of personal resources. Even under tight global economic conditions preventing burnout should be given high priority among mental health providers. This paper looks at the wide spectrum of stressors found in specialists working in the mental health area and examines, with the salutogenic approach in the background, ways to relieve professional burnout among general hospital mental health providers. Guidelines for managers and staff to alleviate their professional strain are suggested so as to improve the quality of life in the workplace.