Burnout is not only something adults get at work. Teenagers and young adults can reach the same point with school, exams, university or a first job: exhausted, flat, and convinced that nothing they do is good enough. Coaching can help young people aged 11 to 25 recover their energy and rebuild a way of working they can sustain.
The World Health Organization uses the word burnout for chronic workplace stress that has not been managed. It is not classified as a medical condition. For a young adult in their first job, that definition applies directly.
For students, researchers in Finland have studied what they call school burnout. It has three parts: exhaustion, cynicism about the point of school, and a sense of being inadequate at it. Their research found that if exhaustion and cynicism go on, the sense of inadequacy grows and can lead to depression. That is why it is worth acting early.
Burnout builds when demands stay high for a long time and there is not enough recovery. Common drivers include exam years, heavy workloads, perfectionism, juggling study with a job or caring, comparing themselves with others online, and difficulties linked to ADHD that make organising work harder. Young people who care a great deal and set high standards are often the most at risk.
Speak to your GP if your child’s mood stays low for more than a couple of weeks, they cannot keep up with daily life, or they seem hopeless.
You may also find these useful: When Your Child Is Struggling at University or College, When Exams Test More Than Knowledge and A Guide to Procrastination.
Every programme begins with a clinical assessment. Synapse considers suitability and what support is needed, and builds a personalised care plan. Your child meets their Coach first and decides whether to go ahead.
Coaching works on a way of working your child can sustain: setting realistic priorities, building recovery into the week, managing perfectionism and fear of failure, and building a more constructive mindset towards themselves and setbacks. Each week they agree what to try and review how it went.
With your consent, we can liaise with the school or university. Mollie supports you throughout and keeps you updated. Where therapy is needed, we bring in a registered therapist from our vetted network and coordinate the team, and our clinical team oversees the work throughout.
Every Synapse Coach has lived experience young people relate to, and that is why coaching works:
A relatable Coach builds the relationship.
The relationship creates engagement.
Engagement makes implementation possible.
Implementation creates change that lasts.
“I felt more confident going into exams, with a real sense of hope that I have a much better chance of doing well in a way that I’ve not felt before. My marks have improved and the entire experience was far more bearable with my increased sense of confidence.” Young person
Shared with permission. Details have been changed to protect privacy.
Synapse is for mild to moderate difficulties. It is not the right fit for a young person in crisis, with an eating disorder that carries medical risk, or with a dependence on alcohol, drugs or gambling. If that is your situation, Mollie will help you find the right service. See what we help with.
Synapse is not an emergency service. If your child talks about suicide or self-harm, or you cannot keep them safe, call 999 or go to A&E. For urgent advice, call NHS 111. See our urgent support page for other services.
The first conversation with Mollie is at no charge, with no commitment. She replies within one working day, and there is no waiting list.
Still unsure? Read 5 Reasons NOT to use Synapse.
