rural mayors under threat of burnout

An AMF survey reveals that nearly 80% of mayors suffer from stress and exhaustion linked to their mandate. If not all local elected officials are spared, rural mayors are particularly affected. Isolated, they face an overwhelming workload and a lack of resources. Testimonials.

By carrying the weight of responsibilities alone, rural mayors risk collapsing. The mental health of rural mayors is a subject that is increasingly coming up in debates, as the stress, loneliness and exhaustion of local elected officials take on alarming proportions. According to a survey published by the Association of Mayors of France (AMF) on November 15, nearly eight out of ten mayors believe that their physical or mental health is affected by the exercise of their mandate. A worrying observation which resonates particularly strongly in small municipalities, where elected officials are often left alone in the face of multiple responsibilities and limited resources.

In Puy-de-Dôme, several rural mayors speak of the difficulties they face on a daily basis. These elected officials, who assume tasks as diverse as waste management, the maintenance of public spaces or the safety of residents, carry a much heavier burden than we imagine.

Denis Legendre, mayor of Moriat, a town of 400 inhabitants, does not hesitate to describe his role as “golden prison”. At the head of his municipality for two terms, he underlines the lack of resources which weighs on small communities. “A mayor of a town of 400 inhabitants receives 900 euros per month. We can’t live with that” he says, adding that he has to run his lighting manufacturing business to make ends meet.

The resulting mental fatigue is palpable. According to him, rural mayors are often contacted for problems that, at first glance, seem trivial, but which accumulate: “If someone complains about two dog poops in front of their house, we call the mayor to resolve the problem”he explains. “It may seem trivial, but these small demands add up to everyday life and, if you are not prepared, it can be exhausting.”

Another mayor of Puy-de-Dôme, François Crégut, mayor of Saint-Martin-des-Plains, draws a similar observation. With 43 years in office under his belt, he evokes the weariness and isolation that increasingly affect rural mayors. “Relations with the administration have deteriorated. There are no more visits from the gendarmes or other regular contacts with whom to interact.” He confides:

We find ourselves alone facing problems without having the means to solve them

François Crégut

mayor of Saint-Martin-des-Plains (Puy-de-Dôme)

François Crégut also believes that rural mayors are often perceived as sacred figures, but in reality, “they no longer have a function, no more authority”. According to him, the mental burden is all the heavier as citizens' expectations have continued to increase over the years, without the resources to respond to them having followed. “Due to a lack of support and motivation, I often thought about giving up my mandate”he admits,

Rachel Bournier, mayor of Sauviat and newly elected official, sheds different light on the issue of stress management. “I found a balance by compartmentalizing my private life and my professional life”she says. However, she concedes that in small towns, the temptation is great to want to manage everything yourself. “It’s important to set rules, like limiting meetings after 6 p.m.”she advises, emphasizing that many elected officials prefer to hide their fatigue and their doubts, for fear of being perceived as weak.

This pressure is even stronger for women mayors, as underlined by Michelle Gaidie, mayor of Saint-Bonnet-près-Orcival and president of the elected women of Puy-de-Dôme. “In small towns, mayors do everything: from administration to the maintenance of public buildings”she explains. “The requests are constant, but the human and financial resources are sorely lacking.” She emphasizes the importance of solidarity between elected officials to face these difficulties, emphasizing that mutual assistance is essential to avoid exhaustion.

According to the councilor, rural mayors need support, not only materially and financially, but also psychologically. “It is urgent to establish listening spaces, appropriate training and support mechanisms at the local and national level. Because if the exhaustion of rural mayors is not a taboo subject, it remains a major issue for the smooth running of our communities and the health of elected officials”.

The AMF survey was conducted online with 5,000 mayors. More than 3,000 fully completed the 60-question questionnaire, specifies the association, indicating that the sample is representative of all city councilors in office in April 2024.