Worst Mental Careers
Not all careers are made equally, with some being the source of a lot of emotional turmoil and sadness. In fact, some careers have high rates of anxiety, stress, and emotional burnout. This isn’t surprising to see, as many of these jobs involve thankless long hours and coming face-to-face with traumatic situations. Do you see your career on this list?
1. Nurse
Nurses are more overburdened and overworked than ever before. Many countries are experiencing a nurse shortage, which is causing many workers to take on long hours and double shifts. These exhausting hours, paired with the fact that nurses often have to tend to impatient and annoyed patients, can lead to more mental exhaustion.
2. Electrician
You might think the trades are safe, but electricians are actually at quite a risk for injury. They have to constantly focus to avoid fatal mistakes, often working in close confines with live wires and on high structures. The work can also be unpredictable, leading to a lot of stress and worry.
3. Military
Being a soldier is undoubtedly tough on many, as it has some of the toughest stakes possible. Military men are often isolated from their loved ones and exposed to immense violence. This can leave them struggling to acclimate to civilian life and instead facing anxiety and other mental ailments.
4. Teacher
You might think teaching is a piece of cake, but the reality is that most teachers are trying to do their best in an underfunded system. They are rarely appreciated, are paid very little, and are responsible for dealing with unruly, and at times violent, students. When things do go wrong, the administration blames them, and they aren’t even allowed to defend themselves from these students.
5. Veterinarian
Most veterinarians love animals, which is why seeing these creatures at their weakest day in and day out can lead to emotional turmoil. Vets also have to make difficult decisions pertaining to euthanasia and may have to turn away pets that can’t afford care. The morality of their situation can lead to compassion fatigue and a sense of deep sadness.
6. Farm Worker
Farms are more unstable than ever, with many farmers finding themselves at the whim of the season and the economy. It’s a job with little security, and to top it off, it’s quite physically demanding too. These long hours and harsh conditions can make it hard for the providers of the world to keep up with uncertain demand.
7. Social Worker
Social workers are relied on to help people in their most vulnerable state. Oftentimes, this means handling horrifying abuse cases with very few resources to draw on. With this in mind, many social workers experience burnout and an emotional overload of their own.
8. Police Officer
Police officers are often exposed to violent scenarios and are relied on to provide security and know what to do in any situation. However, most police officers aren’t given training on how to deal with mental breakdowns or domestic situations. Plus, public scrutiny has added to the emotional stress, shining a light on the bigger problems in the systems.
9. Fast Food
Fast food workers are often exposed to annoyed and impatient customers who are quick to insult them. These workers have no choice but to take the abuse from rude customers, and on top of that, have to work in high-pressure environments with little pay. Lots of these workers also get minimal breaks and are considered replaceable, meaning they can’t even complain.
10. Call Center
You might think call center workers have it pretty cushy and can just put their feet up and take calls all day. But in reality, they take a lot of verbal abuse from customers and are pressured with strict quotas from their bosses. This monotonous work contributes to burnout and a sense of helplessness that many can’t bear.
11. Paramedic
Paramedics are often exposed to horrifying situations, and like other first responders, often have to handle high-fatality emergencies. On top of that, many of them suffer from decision guilt, questioning their choices even in their off-hours. It’s a kind of job you can’t turn off, leaving many emotionally tired.
12. Cook
Line cooks at restaurants and even at fast food joints are often put in high-pressure situations in hot kitchens. Their shifts are fast-paced but very long, with many getting overwhelmed from service rushes. Despite all this, there’s little recognition and not much pay to see for their efforts.
13. Firefighter
Firefighters often have to risk their lives to protect others. Their jobs are very physically demanding, and many of them have to deal with sleep deprivation and unpredictable hours to be there for those in need. Even after retiring, many experience anxiety and even survivor’s guilt.
14. Construction
Construction workers often deal with physically intense jobs and put themselves at risk of injury. Their environments are dangerous, and unlike other jobs, they are exposed to intensive conditions as well. They usually return feeling physically exhausted and have little downtime before having to get back on their feet.
15. Caregiver
Caregivers are often underappreciated, and many family members often take on this role with little thanks. They don’t get much social respect, and their job can be physically demanding as well as a bit uncomfortable at times. It can be especially difficult when dealing with people with dementia, as there is little recognition and it can be painful to see your loved one undergoing the ailment.
Centre for Ageing Better on Unsplash
16. Cleaner
Cleaners also work physically demanding jobs, and the messes they have to deal with can sometimes be absolutely disgusting. The repetitive nature of their labor, plus the little thanks they get, doesn’t make for a good pairing. Plus, they’re treated as low-value workers despite providing an essential service.
17. Child Protective Services
Child protective workers are often exposed to the worst of humanity, and oftentimes they are in situations where there is little they can actually do to help. Bureaucratic red tape often gets in their way, leaving them with case aftermaths that might haunt them for time to come. Despite their best efforts, it’s a job with high frustration and burnout.
18. Nursing Home Worker
Nursing home workers have to deal with a lot of negatives, including long hours and little thanks. Caring for elderly patients can be difficult, especially when it involves ailments like dementia. Not to mention, the job can be a bit messy, and at times quite tragic.
19. Doctors
Doctors are often burdened with high expectations and high responsibility. One wrong move can lead to patient suffering, which is why many doctors fear these mistakes. Additionally, they’re exposed to high mortality, which can lead to anxiety, guilt, and emotional turmoil.
20. Customer Service
Customer service workers often deal with a lot of abuse at the hands of angry customers. It’s up to them to deal with customer complaints, and oftentimes, there is very little they can do about the problems due to company policies or rules. Still, they get paid very little to deal with quite a lot.
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