Health and well-being hub

The NEA guide introduces a structured, evidence-based framework to help schools address gun violence as a workplace hazard. Adapted from occupational health practices, the hierarchy includes five levels of intervention - elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment - prioritizing the most effective strategies first. The guide emphasizes that any measures taken must not compromise trauma-informed, culturally competent education or rely solely on "hardening" schools.

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Publisher: National Education Association (NEA)
Country: United States of America
Year of publication: 2024

Region: North America and the Caribbean
Topics: Physical health Safety
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel School leaders Union representatives
Resource type: Web page

This guide is a four-part resource designed to help education personel, school staff, and community leaders address the growing crisis of gun violence in educational settings. It covers strategies for prevention, preparation, response, and recovery, emphasizing trauma-informed practices, mental health support, and policy advocacy. The guide aims to foster safer school environments by equipping stakeholders with actionable checklists, insights into warning signs, and tools for healing after incidents, all while advocating for systemic change to protect students and workers.

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Publisher: National Education Association (NEA) The Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund
Country: United States of America
Year of publication: 2024

Region: North America and the Caribbean
Topics: Physical health Safety
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel School leaders Union representatives
Resource type: Downloadable file

The article highlights the growing mental health crisis among faculty and college staff, emphasizing that they experience high rates of anxiety, depression, and stress, similar to students. It underscores the importance of on-campus mental health support, reasonable workloads, respectful work environments, and fair pay. The article also points out that the mental health challenges faced by faculty and staff are often overlooked, despite their significant impact on overall well-being and job performance.

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Publisher: National Education Association (NEA)
Country: United States of America
Year of publication: 2024

Region: North America and the Caribbean
Topics: Mental health
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel Researchers Union representatives
Level of education: Higher education and research
Resource type: Web page

A five-part video series on teachers’ social-emotional skills, designed to help educators develop essential abilities that enhance both personal well-being and professional effectiveness. The journey begins with self-discovery, introducing techniques to cultivate self-awareness and self-management through mindfulness practices. These tools are intended to support personal healing, strengthen connection to one’s purpose, and foster greater satisfaction in teaching practice.

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Publisher: National Education Association (NEA)
Country: United States of America
Year of publication: 2023

Region: North America and the Caribbean
Topics: Mental health Social emotional skills
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers
Resource type: Video

The NEA article highlights a growing crisis in education, with 55% of educators considering leaving their jobs earlier than planned, a sharp rise from 37% just months prior. The survey reveals that this trend spans all roles and demographics, with Black and Hispanic/Latino educators disproportionately affected. The pandemic has intensified long-standing staffing shortages, leaving teachers overwhelmed, covering for absent colleagues, and unable to provide adequate support to students. NEA President Becky Pringle calls it a “five-alarm crisis”, urging elected officials to take immediate action to prevent a mass exodus and ensure students receive the attention and mental health support they need.

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Publisher: National Education Association (NEA)
Country: United States of America
Year of publication: 2022

Region: North America and the Caribbean
Topics: Mental health Pandemics and epidemics Workload
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers
Specific communities: Ethnic minorities
Resource type: Web page

The article highlights the urgent need to address the well-being of teachers and principals, who experience job-related stress at twice the rate of other working adults. The RAND Corporation survey reveals that poor well-being and adverse working conditions are driving many educators to consider leaving their jobs. The article calls for comprehensive, system-wide strategies to improve educator well-being, rather than superficial wellness programs, to retain and support educators effectively.

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Publisher: National Education Association (NEA)
Country: United States of America
Year of publication: 2022

Region: North America and the Caribbean
Topics: Cross-cutting resource Mental health Working conditions
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel School leaders Researchers
Resource type: Web page

The article offers guidance for aspiring educators on maintaining their mental health, particularly during Mental Health Awareness Month. It highlights the importance of utilizing on-campus health clinics and counseling services, recognizing the signs of mental health issues, and seeking support from various resources. The article also emphasizes the role of self-care and organizational strategies.

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Publisher: National Education Association (NEA)
Country: United States of America
Year of publication: 2021

Region: North America and the Caribbean
Topics: Mental health Physical health
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers
Specific communities: Early-stage career
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

The reportoutlines a nationwide effort to confront the growing impact of trauma on students and educators. Sparked by a leadership meeting in 2019, the report captures insights from a convening of 39 state affiliates, aiming to understand current approaches, build a shared framework, and recommend actionable steps. It emphasizes the complexity of trauma’s root causes and highlights strategies such as educator training, legislative advocacy, and community partnerships.

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Publisher: National Education Association (NEA) National Council of State Education Associations
Country: United States of America
Year of publication: 2019

Region: North America and the Caribbean
Topics: Mental health Safety Violence and harassment
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel School leaders Union representatives
Specific communities: Ethnic minorities
Resource type: Downloadable file

The article explores how schools like Dora Moore in Denver are transforming discipline through community-building strategies such as peace circles, daily check-ins, and conflict-resolution walks. These restorative practices foster stronger relationships between students and educators, replacing punitive approaches with kindness and understanding. Supported by a major NEA grant, Dora Moore has become a model for other schools nationwide, demonstrating how restorative methods can reduce racial disparities in discipline and create more inclusive, supportive learning environments.

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Publisher: National Education Association (NEA)
Country: United States of America
Year of publication: 2019

Region: North America and the Caribbean
Topics: Social emotional skills
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel School leaders Union representatives
Resource type: Web page

The article provides practical tips on maintaining health and stamina during walkouts and protests. It emphasizes the importance of getting enough sleep, eating healthy meals and snacks, staying hydrated, protecting one's voice, staying fit, and managing stress.

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Publisher: National Education Association (NEA)
Country: United States of America
Year of publication: 2018

Region: North America and the Caribbean
Topics: Mental health Physical health
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel School leaders Union representatives
Resource type: Web page

This page provides a comprehensive hub of resources aimed at promoting safe, supportive, and health-conscious learning environments for both students and educators. It addresses key issues such as mental health, gun violence prevention, infection control, and healthy buildings, offering practical tools and strategies to tackle the root causes of school safety challenges.

Open resource in English

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

Region: North America and the Caribbean
Topics: Cross-cutting resource Mental health Pandemics and epidemics Safety Working conditions
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel School leaders Union representatives
Resource type: Web page

Ei-iE

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

Showing 13 Resources Filtered by:

Using the hierarchy of controls to prevent gun violence in education settings

School gun violence prevention and response guide

The mental health crisis among faculty and college staff

Put on your own oxygen mask first: Cultivating healing and wellbeing in ourselves - A five-part video series

Bargaining and advocacy tactics to support educators' mental health

Make educator well-being a priority now

Aspiring educators: Protect your mental health

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

Addressing the epidemic of trauma in schools

How restorative practices work for students and educators

Stand up, speak out, stay healthy

It’s time to invest in student & educator well-being