About burnout
Burnout is exhaustion linked to work: emotional fatigue, distance or cynicism towards the job and a feeling of not being effective. Psychological support focuses on recovery, workload and boundaries, values and, when needed, decisions about the work situation.
Occupational (work and organisational) psychologists deal with well-being at work: stress and burnout prevention, workplace conflicts, career guidance, leadership and team development.
Getting mental health care in Brunei
Public health system · Ministry of Health – Psychiatry and Psychology Services
Public mental health care is run by the Ministry of Health, mainly through the Department of Psychiatry at RIPAS Hospital and the Ministry's psychology services. The Clinical Psychology Unit takes referrals from hospitals and private clinics. The Community Psychology Division takes referrals from government health centres and schools and sees patients at health centres by appointment. Ask your nearest health clinic or hospital for a referral. More information
How to check that a professional is licensed
- Allied Health Professions Council of Brunei Darussalam (AHPCBD). Under the Allied Health Professions Order 2017, clinical psychologists and psychologists, occupational therapists and speech and language therapists must be registered with the AHPCBD and hold a practising certificate. The Council publishes a directory of registered professionals. Search the official register
- Brunei Medical Board. Doctors, including psychiatrists, are registered with the Brunei Medical Board, which publishes a list of registered medical practitioners. Search the official register
Urgent help in Brunei
If your life or someone else's is in danger, call the emergency number now. These services can help at any time:
- 991 · Ambulance
- 145 · Talian Harapan 145 (Ministry of Health)
Information reviewed in November 2026 · Sources: moh.gov.bn, moh.gov.bn
Signs to look out for
Burnout develops gradually under prolonged work pressure. Common signs include exhaustion that rest does not fix, feeling detached, cynical or numb about your job, a sense that nothing you do makes a difference, and difficulty concentrating. You may dread Monday, feel irritable with colleagues or family, get ill more often, or find that weekends and holidays no longer help you recover.
What helps: treatments and professionals
Psychologists, clinical psychologists and occupational psychologists can help with burnout. Cognitive-behavioural approaches, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and stress-management programmes help with recovery, boundaries and values. Support often includes looking at workload, job demands and possible changes at work. A doctor should assess exhaustion and rule out physical causes or depression, and may advise on time off.
When to seek urgent help
Burnout can overlap with depression. If you feel hopeless, cannot function at all, or have thoughts of harming yourself or ending your life, contact your local emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department immediately. Seek prompt medical care for physical symptoms such as chest pain, palpitations or fainting.
What you can do in the meantime
Try to protect clear boundaries between work and rest, such as switching off notifications after hours. Prioritise sleep, regular meals and gentle exercise. Talk to someone you trust about how you feel, and, if possible, discuss workload with your manager or occupational health service. Reconnecting with activities and people outside work helps. Avoid relying on alcohol or stimulants to keep going.
What does a occupational psychologist do?
An occupational psychologist, or work and organisational psychologist, applies psychology to the workplace. Day to day they may assess and select candidates, design training, improve team dynamics and leadership, assess psychosocial risks such as stress or harassment, support organisational change and promote well-being. Some also offer individual career guidance, coaching or support with burnout and return to work.
When to see a occupational psychologist
An occupational psychologist can help individuals facing career decisions, job loss, work stress or a return after sick leave, and organisations dealing with conflict, high turnover, burnout risk, restructuring or the need to assess psychosocial risks. If work stress has led to significant anxiety, depression or exhaustion, a clinical psychologist or doctor should also be involved.
How to choose
When choosing, check the licence and training, the approach they use and whether they have experience with what you need. Consider practical aspects too: language, price, location or online sessions and availability. The relationship with the professional matters a great deal; if after a few sessions it does not feel right, it is fine to change.
Frequently asked questions
Does the public health system in Brunei cover psychological care?
Public mental health care is run by the Ministry of Health, mainly through the Department of Psychiatry at RIPAS Hospital and the Ministry's psychology services. The Clinical Psychology Unit takes referrals from hospitals and private clinics. The Community Psychology Division takes referrals from government health centres and schools and sees patients at health centres by appointment. Ask your nearest health clinic or hospital for a referral.
How do I check that a occupational psychologist is licensed in Brunei?
Allied Health Professions Council of Brunei Darussalam (AHPCBD): Under the Allied Health Professions Order 2017, clinical psychologists and psychologists, occupational therapists and speech and language therapists must be registered with the AHPCBD and hold a practising certificate. The Council publishes a directory of registered professionals.