by David Ducheyne
Burnout is no longer a problem limited to overworked managers or exhausted healthcare workers. Increasingly, it affects young people—students, starters, young professionals. And that should worry us.
In our society, young people are expected to develop into agile, resilient, and successful individuals. But in reality, many feel like they are drowning in demands they have no control over. The numbers, the stories, the silences speak volumes.
The causes are now well known. Chronic stress and an excessive workload—often reinforced by performance pressure at school or work—make life unbearable for many. Young people are expected to excel, yet are given too little space to make mistakes or progress at their own pace. They are pulled into a world that is not yet theirs, and their performance is judged by the high standards of those who came before them. They are also increasingly competing with artificial intelligence that takes over simpler tasks—exactly the kind that used to be ideal for beginners. Autonomy—crucial for motivation—is scarce in the environments they enter: rigid schedules, the relentless pressure of learning platforms, internship structures, hierarchical work cultures. Guidance is often painfully insufficient.
Those who feel supported are less likely to burn out. But what if that support is missing? Weak relationships with teachers, supervisors, or even parents make young people feel isolated in their struggle. That isolation fuels the risk of exhaustion and mental health issues.
Many young people also struggle with the gap between who they want to be and who they are allowed to be within the context in which they grow up. They search for identity and recognition but run into expectations that aren’t their own. Add personal vulnerabilities to the mix—such as anxiety, perfectionism, or poor stress management skills—and you have a recipe for mental overload.
Still, burnout in young people is often downplayed or misunderstood. "They're just lazy," people say. Or: "They need to toughen up." But burnout is not a sign of weakness. It’s a signal that the system is breaking. And young people are the canaries in the coal mine.
What’s needed is a broader view of success, learning, and humanity. Schools, sports organizations, and employers must not only challenge young people but also protect them. Give them control over their learning and work process. Support their transition to the workforce. Invest in strong relationships and a culture of open dialogue. Recognize the signs of overload, and take them seriously.
Burnout among young people is a silent alarm that must be heard loud and clear.
Photo Credit
Photo by Anna Tarazevich: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-woman-wearing-a-smartwatch-holding-a-smartphone-6173668/
