I’ve worked in mental health for about 7-8 years. I have a masters degree in counseling. I’ve had some very difficult jobs such as working in acute psych wards, residential settings, and currently a mental health care resource finder/crisis line. I have my own mental illnesses that I’ve only really started to treat with therapy for the last 3 years. Since the pandemic I feel like I’ve stepped back with my progress so I was able to get medical leave for my conditions though I always feel bad and anxious when I call out of work because I “just can’t do it” it makes me feel like a quitter and I’m taking the easy way out when my workload is too much for me. I can only deal with 8 hours of peoples issues for so long. Everything is triggering and work makes me s*icidal often. I’ve been trying to change fields , but I haven’t landed any interviews. I am scared it’s because of my background and I’m too overqualified for unskilled jobs even though that is what I need so bad right now. Until then, how do I deal with extreme burnout and compassion fatigue? I don’t want to start medication because my life sucks. I am usually okayish on the weekends but at work I’m an anxious/depressed basket case.