The Invisible Load of Mental Exhaustion: It’s Not in Your Head

Jun 4

For many high-achieving Black, Indigenous, and Women of Color (BIPOC), mental exhaustion isn't just about being tired, it's a chronic state of emotional depletion. Despite outward success, many carry an unseen burden that impacts their ability to show up as their full selves.

Understanding the Unseen Burden

Mental exhaustion often shows up as persistent fatigue, irritability, and the sense that your mind is “always on.” It’s not laziness, it’s the result of prolonged stress, pressure to succeed, and the emotional labor of navigating spaces that weren’t built for you.

BIPOC women frequently experience unique stressors such as racial microaggressions, code-switching, and the need to outperform peers just to be seen as competent. These stressors have been shown to contribute to higher levels of chronic stress and burnout in both professional and academic settings (Collins et al. 2021).

Racial Battle Fatigue, Impostor Syndrome & Burnout

The concept of racial battle fatigue explains how ongoing racial stress leads to emotional, psychological, and physical strain, especially for people of color in predominantly white institutions (Smith et al. 2007). Add gendered expectations and the “strong Black woman” trope, and it becomes clear why so many BIPOC women burn out in silence.

Research also indicates that the impostor phenomenon, characterized by feeling like a fraud despite clear accomplishments, is particularly prevalent among women of color in high-achieving roles (Cokley et al., 2017). This constant self-doubt can add yet another invisible weight to an already heavy mental load.

How Therapy Can Help

Therapy offers a confidential space to unpack all of this, without judgment. Evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness have been shown to reduce stress, improve emotion regulation, and increase resilience (Khoury et al. 2013; Hofmann et al. 2012).

At Balens Therapy, we offer culturally attuned support designed for BIPOC women navigating high-stress careers. Whether you’re battling burnout, impostor syndrome, or just feeling stuck, we’re here to walk with you toward clarity, healing, and balance.

You deserve rest that heals, not just sleep that escapes.
✨ Book your free consultation today

Works Cited

Cokley, Kevin, et al. “Impostor Feelings as a Moderator and Mediator of the Relationship Between Perceived Discrimination and Mental Health.” Journal of Counseling Psychology, vol. 64, no. 2, 2017, pp. 141–150.
Collins, Krystal L., et al. “Burnout and Race-Related Stress Among BIPOC Women K–12 Educators.” Urban Education, 2021.
Hofmann, Stefan G., et al. “The Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Review of Meta-analyses.” Cognitive Therapy and Research, vol. 36, 2012, pp. 427–440.
Khoury, Bassam, et al. “Mindfulness-Based Therapy: A Comprehensive Meta-Analysis.” Clinical Psychology Review, vol. 33, no. 6, 2013, pp. 763–771.
Smith, William A., et al. “Racial Battle Fatigue in Higher Education: Exposing the Myth of Post-Racial America.” Stylus Publishing, 2007.