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A new study of hotel owners by DIRECTV and Hotel Management cited employee mental health as their top challenge in the last 12 months and for the coming year. Working in hotels, sadly this data probably comes as no surprise to you.
In light of this new data and May being Mental Health Awareness month, we look at the nuanced differences between burnout and depression, so that you can know when to access help yourself or recognize when your colleagues may be struggling.
According to a post on GoodRx by Amy Isler, RN, MSN, the symptoms of burnout and depression can overlap. But there are key differences, including how long your symptoms last and how you might need to manage your symptoms.
Rare is the person who hasn’t experienced both, at one time or another, and life during the time of COVID has only served to trigger and exacerbate these conditions, especially for the hospitality industry. In a WSJ article titled, Restaurants and Hotels Push Back Against the Uptick in Customer Tantrums, author Clare Ansberry points out that more than 60% of restaurant workers said they had suffered from emotional abuse and disrespect from customers, and 78% said their mental health had been negatively affected in the past 12 months.
The Difference Between Burnout and Depression
That’s why it is so important to understand the differences between burnout and depression in order to get the right help.
Depression is marked by feelings of sadness, loss of interest in daily life, and hopelessness; some depressed people also feel angry and irritable. These feelings can be pervasive throughout all areas of life, including work and family. If you experience these symptoms for more than a few days, you should consult your physician and initiate counseling or therapy with a licensed professional.
Burnout, on the other hand, tends to be directly related to your career and job. The symptoms may feel much the same as depression, but there is one key difference-burnout symptoms may diminish during weekends or vacations. Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion that results from overwhelming, prolonged stress, and rest and rejuvenation may provide relief.
Having experienced both in my lifetime, you don’t have to be in a public-facing job, or even in hospitality to be affected by burnout or depression. Hell, you don’t even have to be employed! Life, these days, is tough to navigate, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
Burnout and depression can happen to anyone at any age, so please talk to someone, get help if you need it, and look out for your colleagues who may also be struggling.