Health and well-being hub

The article on Academic Matters discusses the persistent mental health challenges faced by faculty in academia, which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic but existed long before it. It highlights the heavy workloads, high expectations, and systemic issues within academic institutions that contribute to stress, anxiety, and burnout among faculty members. The article emphasizes the need for systemic solutions, including better working conditions, fair compensation, and supportive policies, to address these long-standing issues and improve the mental health and well-being of academic staff.

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Publisher: Academic Matters
Country: United States of America
Year of publication: 2021

Region: North America and the Caribbean
Topics: Mental health Pandemics and epidemics Physical health Workload
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Education support personnel Researchers
Level of education: Higher education and research
Specific communities: Women
Resource type: Web page

The report examines the working conditions and wellbeing of academic staff in UK universities. It highlights the prevalence of psychosocial hazards such as high job demands, poor support, and unclear roles, which contribute to stress and burnout. The report also discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on staff wellbeing, emphasizing the need for better support systems, flexible working options, and a positive psychosocial safety climate.

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Publisher: Education Support
Country: United Kingdom
Year of publication: 2021

Region: Europe
Topics: Cross-cutting resource Mental health Pandemics and epidemics Working conditions Workload
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel School leaders Researchers
Level of education: Higher education and research
Resource type: Downloadable file

The 2021 UNSA Education Barometer reveals the challenges faced by education professionals in France, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite a high level of job satisfaction and a sense of purpose among educators, the survey highlights a persistent lack of respect and recognition, with 66% of respondents feeling undervalued. The barometer also underscores the need for improved working conditions, better health support, and enhanced training.

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Publisher: Union nationale des syndicats autonomes - Education
Country: France
Year of publication: 2021

Region: Europe
Topics: Job satisfaction Pandemics and epidemics Physical health
Available in: French
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel
Resource type: Web page

The adaptation and innovation in the SACHA project in Haiti have focused on teacher wellbeing. The project has developed training capsules to support the health and wellbeing of education workers. These capsules cover essential topics such as occupational health, mental health, and stress management, providing teachers with valuable resources to improve their working conditions.

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Publisher: CEMEA-Haiti Education and Solidarity Network (ESN) Solidarité Laïque Haïti Wallonie-Bruxelles Internationale (WBI)
Country: Haiti
Year of publication: 2021

Region: North America and the Caribbean
Topics: Mental health Physical health Working conditions
Available in: French
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel
Resource type: Video

The toolkit provides guidance on implementing the ILO Violence and Harassment Convention (No. 190) and Recommendation (No. 206). It includes practical resources for trainers, such as facilitator guides, activities workbooks, and detailed briefings on key issues. The toolkit aims to raise awareness, encourage discussion, and support unions in developing workplace policies, integrating violence and harassment into occupational safety and health management, and campaigning for the ratification of C190. It emphasizes the importance of gender-responsive approaches and collective bargaining to create safer, more inclusive workplaces.

The resources in Arabic and Turkish can be downloaded from the resource page in English.

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Publisher: Education International (EI)
Year of publication: 2021

Topics: Safety Violence and harassment
Available in: English French Spanish, Castilian Arabic Turkish
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel
Specific communities: Women
Resource type: Downloadable file

This article is part of a compilation of case studies that detail promising practices in teacher well‑being, teacher management, and school leadership. The Teacher Wellbeing Index – 2021 highlights the mounting pressures faced by the UK education workforce during the COVID‑19 pandemic: a majority of staff reported work-related psychological symptoms, with stress levels notably rising compared to previous years, particularly among senior leaders. Many continued working even when unwell, while anxiety, exhaustion, and feelings of burnout became widespread.

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Publisher: Education Support
Country: United Kingdom
Year of publication: 2021

Region: Europe
Topics: Cross-cutting resource Leadership Mental health Peer relationships Physical health Respect Violence and harassment Workload
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel School leaders
Level of education: Early childhood education Primary education Secondary education
Resource type: Downloadable file

This document places emphasis on teacher well-being amid the reopening of schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing from a large-scale survey, it reveals that many educators experienced heightened stress due to increased workloads, unclear expectations, and inconsistent school policies. While some schools implemented supportive measures, like flexible reporting times, reduced meeting durations, and remote work options—others maintained rigid practices that compromised teacher morale. The newsletter highlights calls for standardizing well-being policies across schools and advocates for greater empathy and recognition of teachers’ frontline roles during this challenging period.

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Publisher: Singapore Teachers' Union (STU)
Country: Singapore
Year of publication: 2020

Region: Asia Pacific
Topics: Mental health Pandemics and epidemics Working conditions
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel School leaders Union representatives

The National Survey Plan of Educational Institutions is a comprehensive initiative led by SADOP aimed at gathering detailed insights into the working conditions within educational institutions across Argentina. It collects the perspectives of educators and union representatives to assess infrastructure, health and safety risks, and labor rights compliance. The plan serves as a collective tool for generating knowledge and promoting union-led interventions to improve teaching environments. It emphasizes the importance of viewing schools as workplaces and advocates for dignified, healthy conditions to enhance educational quality.

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Publisher: Sindicato Argentino de Docentes Privados (SADOP)
Country: Argentina
Year of publication: 2020

Region: Latin America
Topics: Physical health Safety Working conditions
Available in: Spanish, Castilian
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel School leaders
Resource type: Downloadable file

The research captures the lived experiences of 1,000 women educators during the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights how gender inequality intensified during this period, with women disproportionately affected by increased unpaid care work, domestic responsibilities, and professional pressures. The findings reveal the emotional and physical toll on women balancing teaching duties with caregiving, often working long hours with little support.

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Publisher: Educational Institute of Scotland
Country: United Kingdom
Year of publication: 2020

Region: Europe
Topics: Mental health Pandemics and epidemics Women’s psychological and physical health
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel School leaders
Resource type: Downloadable file

The NEU's Model Policy on Harassment and Bullying in Schools provides a framework for preventing and addressing inappropriate behavior among staff. It defines harassment and bullying clearly, outlines legal obligations under the Equality Act 2010, and sets expectations for training and employer responsibilities. The accompanying Checklist is a practical tool for NEU representatives to evaluate proposed school policies, ensuring they meet union standards and statutory requirements.

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Publisher: National Education Union
Country: United Kingdom
Year of publication: 2020

Region: Europe
Topics: Violence and harassment
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel School leaders
Resource type: Downloadable file

The document outlines strategic recommendations for safely reopening schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. It places a strong emphasis on the wellbeing and protection of teachers, recognizing them as central to the education system’s recovery. The report addresses the need for mental health support, adequate personal protective equipment, and clear communication to ensure teachers can return to classrooms safely and confidently. It also advocates for inclusive decision-making, where teachers' voices are considered in shaping policies that affect their working conditions and professional responsibilities

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Publisher: Kenya National Union of Teachers Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU)
Country: Kenya
Year of publication: 2020

Region: Africa
Topics: Pandemics and epidemics
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel School leaders
Resource type: Downloadable file

The document provides practical guidance for employers to manage workplace safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. It outlines strategies to assess risks, implement preventive measures, and ensure a safe and healthy return to work for employees. The guide emphasizes collaboration between employers, workers, and health authorities, and includes checklists and tools to support planning and communication efforts. It aims to help businesses navigate the evolving challenges of the pandemic while protecting workers' health and sustaining operations.

The documents in Arabic, Indonesian, Portuguese, Russian, Turkish and Ukrainian can be downloaded from the resource webpage.

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Publisher: International Labour Organization (ILO)
Year of publication: 2020

Topics: Mental health Pandemics and epidemics Physical health
Available in: Arabic English French Indonesian Portuguese Russian Spanish, Castilian Ukrainian Turkish
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel School leaders Union representatives
Resource type: Downloadable file

The page provides a number of resources for promoting mental and physical health, especially during challenging times such as the COVID-19 pandemic. It offers materials for understanding and discussing mental health, including links to organizations like Anxiety UK, the BBC, and the NHS for additional support. The page emphasizes the importance of self-care, supporting those around us, and addressing issues such as isolation, substance misuse, and domestic abuse.

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Publisher: Educational Institute of Scotland
Country: United Kingdom
Year of publication: 2020

Region: Europe
Topics: Mental health Pandemics and epidemics Physical health
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel School leaders
Resource type: Web page

This NEA's training session offers simple healing skills for self-care and for promoting health and well-being for educational support personnel. It includes opportunities to practice and apply various healing methods. These methods can be used by all educators, families, and others in the community.

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Publisher: National Education Association (NEA)
Country: United States of America
Year of publication: 2020

Region: North America and the Caribbean
Topics: Mental health Pandemics and epidemics Physical health Social emotional skills
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Education support personnel
Resource type: Video

In this NEA's training session, Dr. Chris Cipriano offers social and emotional learning strategies to support education support personnel within the school ecosystem to navigate the challenging emotions experienced during the pandemic.

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Publisher: National Education Association (NEA)
Country: United States of America
Year of publication: 2020

Region: North America and the Caribbean
Topics: Mental health Pandemics and epidemics Social emotional skills
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Education support personnel
Resource type: Video

Ei-iE

Health and well-being hub Education International’s resource center

Showing 106 Resources Filtered by:

Mental health in academia: The challenges faculty face predate the pandemic and require systemic solutions

Supporting staff wellbeing in higher education

Presentation of results to the media – UNSA barometer of education professions 2021

Adaptation and innovation in the SACHA project in Haiti: creation of training capsules

Training of trainers toolkit on the ILO violence and harassment convention (No. 190) and recommendation (No. 206)

Teacher wellbeing index - 2021

Newsletter, Vol. 1. No. 8: Survey on reopening of schools

National survey plan of educational institutions

One thousand women’s voices: Recording EIS member’s experience and resilience during Covid-19

Harassment and bullying: School model policy

Multi-Agency report on effects of coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on education: Mitigation measures, analysis and recommendations on reopening of schools, colleges and universities

Safe return to work: Guide for employers on COVID-19 prevention

Supporting the mental health and wellbeing of ourselves and others

ESP webinar: Wellness skills for self-care and health for educational support professionals

ESP webinar: Harnessing social and emotional learning strategies to support the wellbeing of education support personnel during the COVID-19 crisis