The Definition of Burnout

....a range of effects on the human body and mind, from a series of primarily work related causes/imbalances where an obvious lack of mental wellness is the outcome.

This definition immediately turns ones attention to "how can we look at the whole person and the big picture as well as address the causes and bring more wellness to work?" rather than "how do we treat this person's mental illness / what is wrong with THEM?".

This seems an altogether fairer and more equitable way of pointing out that burnout is not a feature of happy well supported people who are in the right jobs and treated with respect.

As I keep labouring.... burnout arises due to a combination of factors. 

Burnout can

• coexist with mental illness
• contribute to mental illness
• lead to mental illness
• mimic mental illness
• arise from within mental illness

... but on its own I don't believe it is a mental illness but I do believe it is a a damaging condition to mental and physical health and has a relationship with mental illness.

Deal with the causes and elevate those elements of work that bring joy and the burnout will ease and eventually go away. Sounds too simple to be true. The challenge is..... it is simple but it is not easy to get to the bottom of the complex interactions that foster burnout in the workplace.

Anyone is at risk of mental illness throughout their life.
Anyone can suffer burnout if the conditions are ripe for its emergence.
So we must all be aware of things that destroy mental wellness.
And burnout is one of them.