I was moved and angered by the recent letter to the editor by Elisabeth Corrales, “Maine mental health workers must guard against burnout” (June 24). I was moved by Ms. Corrales’ courage to write a letter that describes her efforts to attain support regarding her own struggles resulting from working in a high-stress, intense and emotionally demanding community mental health setting.

I am angered by the responses she cited from her supervisor and assistant director. Like all social workers who work in mostly publicly funded child welfare and community mental health organizations, she faces near-impossible demands on her time and emotional resources. Talk about blaming the victim.

The inference made by administrators, that Ms. Corrales perhaps couldn’t handle community mental health work, is a deflection of responsibility on their part and an insult to Ms. Corrales. I hope Ms. Corrales finds support and acknowledgement of the intense stressors she has endured, but I am not hopeful she will receive that in her current position.

I thank Ms. Corrales for her service and commitment to the most vulnerable in our state.

Franklin Brooks, MSW, Ph.D., LCSW
Portland