“I need to draft the monthly board report and complete the staffing assessment. I can’t forget about scheduling the annual training. Was the SDN list updated again? Wait, the audit is next month, and I haven’t started the request list. My analyst just quit, so I need to make time for alerts and cases.”
Does this sound like your day-to-day thought process as an AML/CFT employee? Plenty of jobs come with long to-do lists, but working in the AML/CFT field adds the stress of knowing that unchecked boxes might mean missing potential suspicious activity that could stop drug traffickers or save lives. No pressure there, right? In addition, AML/CFT staff are often tasked with doing the work on a small budget and must keep customer convenience in mind. The stress can be overwhelming whether you are a BSA officer or an analyst.
This Mental Health Awareness Month, we want you to know you are not alone. Take a moment to review the following signs that you may be overwhelmed at work or even dealing with high-functioning anxiety or depression. Some symptoms may include the following:
- Eating or sleeping too much or too little
- Pulling away from people and things, including the job you once had so much passion for
- Fear of failure and striving for perfection
- Having low or no energy
- Feeling helpless or hopeless
- Excessive smoking, drinking, or using drugs, including prescription medications
- Worrying a lot of the time; feeling guilty but not sure why
- Thinking of hurting or killing yourself or someone else
If you are thinking of harming yourself, please talk to someone now. Visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or simply dial 988 to reach them. Find a licensed counselor in your area.
