My hope in writing this letter is to prompt readers to reflect on their own health care experiences and ask: “What kind of care do I deserve?” and “Are my providers truly meeting my needs?”

I work as an outpatient mental health therapist in rural Maine. In 2024, I enrolled in a neurofeedback training program — a form of bio-feedback using real-time EEG brain waves to help retrain the brain. As a part of certification, I underwent a diagnostic brain map. While not surprising, the results were sobering: most of my frontal lobe showed delta-wave activity — slow brain waves typically seen in deep sleep — suggesting trauma and inflammation. I recognize much of this was due to the unsustainable demands of my job.

My burnout was so severe that I feared leaving the house and struggled with daily thoughts of suicide. I voiced these concerns to my supervisor and the assistant director, hoping for collaboration and support. I requested increased supervision and on-site team meetings to help manage my high-acuity caseload.

The response: team meetings were scheduled during lunch breaks. I was temporarily granted biweekly supervision; any more would reduce client hours. Regarding my burnout, I was told, “Perhaps you’re not meant to work in community mental health.”

Maybe they’re right. But if those of us committed to serving the most vulnerable can’t survive in these roles, who will be left to care for them?

Elisabeth Corrales
Belfast