Burnout and the Extension Professional: Strategies to Make it Through The Day
Leadership and Administrative Skills
Jami Dellifield
Family and Consumer Sciences Educator
Ohio State University
Kenton
Abstract
Professional burnout is on-going. The Journal of Extension archive has over 100 articles written from 1983-2025 that address employee burnout. How can we hone our super-abilities and skills to attack our nemesis? This session will explore the connection between organizational culture, employee burnout, and mental wellness. Facilitated discussion and activities will help participants leverage an individual’s unique assets to improve mental health in the organization.
A superhero is a person with extraordinary abilities and exceptional skills. While most Extension employees cannot fly, lift a car, or run faster than the speed of light, under this definition, we certainly fit the bill. Extension professionals have skills that are diverse and impactful, and like any other superhero, we have our weaknesses as well. Superman faces kryptonite that negatively impacts his strength, and the extension superhero faces burnout and stress that can impact job performance.
Information on mental well-being has been gathered informally through conversations with Extension professionals during Mental Health First Aid® and Trauma Informed Approaches trainings. The feedback has been consistent. Extension professionals serve from their hearts as well as their heads. It is difficult to say "no" when you can help another person. The emerging question is "How can we meet the professional requirements of our job and maintain a work-life balance?" Formal and informal evaluations from these trainings show that individuals are struggling.
By identifying one’s own super-powers and reflecting on weaknesses, participants will gain a deeper understanding of how to set boundaries. Facilitated self-help strategies will help participants build skills to combat everyday stress and prolonged burnout. Practical resources will be provided to springboard the employee’s ability to assist others through periods of high stress and mental health challenges, adding another exceptional skill that makes Extension Professionals real, live Superheroes.
???????Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of the role burnout and stress play in mental wellness, and how to combat burnout by having open, impactful conversations and engaging in simple, self-care strategies. The session will help participants identify warning signs and give practice time for engaging conversation techniques to advocate for themselves and others.
Authors: Jami Dellifield, Amanda Raines
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Jami Dellifield Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Ohio, 43326
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Amanda Raines 4-H Youth Development Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Ohio, 43326