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This article explores the nature of teacher burnout, emphasizing that educator fatigue goes far beyond long hours or classroom stress. It highlights the emotional labor involved in teaching, managing relationships, regulating emotions, and coping with administrative overload, as key contributors to chronic exhaustion. Drawing on regional data from Latin America, it reveals how institutional conditions, social pressures, and lack of support exacerbate burnout.

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Publisher: Institute for the Future of Education
Country: Argentina Chile Ecuador Peru
Year of publication: 2025

Region: Latin America
Topics: Mental health Physical health Workload
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers
Resource type: Web page

The page discusses the significant administrative burden faced by primary school teachers in the Netherlands, who spend an average of 6 to 8 hours a week on administrative tasks. This high administrative workload negatively impacts their job satisfaction and contributes to a potential teacher shortage, as many consider leaving the profession. The article highlights the need for reducing administrative tasks to improve teachers' work conditions and overall job satisfaction, suggesting that even a small reduction in administrative time could free up substantial resources for better education and reduced workload.

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Publisher: Algemene Onderwijsbond (AOb)
Country: Netherlands
Year of publication: 2025

Region: Europe
Topics: Job satisfaction Unpaid work Workload
Available in: English Dutch
Categories of staff: Teachers
Level of education: Primary education
Resource type: Web page

In an interview with CAUT, Ivy Lynn Bourgeault discusses her national study on mental health across various professions, focusing on academia. The study highlights the high levels of anxiety and depression among academics due to heavy workloads, digital stress, and continuous peer evaluation. Bourgeault emphasizes the need for better mental health accommodations and support, particularly for contract academic staff who face job insecurity. She also addresses the gender gap in mental health research and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on academic staff's well-being.

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Publisher: Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT/ACPPU)
Country: Canada
Year of publication: 2025

Region: North America and the Caribbean
Topics: Mental health Pandemics and epidemics Right to disconnect and technology Women’s psychological and physical health Workload
Available in: English French
Categories of staff: Teachers Researchers
Level of education: Higher education and research
Resource type: Web page

The video addresses the causes of chronic exhaustion affecting teachers in the region: administrative overload, precarious salary conditions, lack of resources, school violence, external pressures, among others. Through testimonies from teachers in different countries, interviews with specialists, and data reflecting the magnitude of the problem, it explores how this phenomenon not only jeopardizes the quality of education but also the sustainability of the educational system.

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Publisher: Deutsche Welle - DW Cómo te afecta
Year of publication: 2025

Region: Latin America
Topics: Respect Right to disconnect and technology Salaries and remuneration Violence and harassment Workload
Available in: Spanish, Castilian
Categories of staff: Teachers
Resource type: Video

The article is based on the documentary of the Deutsche Welle (DW), "Why Latin American Teachers Are Fleeing the Classrooms." It discusses the severe challenges faced by teachers in Latin America, including physical and verbal aggression, chronic stress, and lack of family support. It highlights the increasing teacher attrition rates due to these issues, exacerbated by overcrowded classrooms and insufficient salaries. The article emphasizes the urgent need for systemic changes to support teachers, such as better working conditions, emotional training, and stronger collaboration between families and schools. The article includes a link to the documentary.

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Publisher: Maestro CMF
Year of publication: 2025

Region: Latin America
Topics: Respect Right to disconnect and technology Salaries and remuneration Violence and harassment Workload
Available in: Spanish, Castilian
Categories of staff: Teachers
Resource type: Web page

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

The interview with Sinead McBrearty, CEO of Education Support, a teacher welfare charity, discusses the findings of the 2024 Teacher Wellbeing Index, highlighting the rise in verbal and physical abuse from pupils, pressure from parents, and lack of support from external services as key stressors for teachers. McBrearty emphasizes the need for fresh thinking and new mental models to improve teacher wellbeing, advocating for increased funding, better support from public services, and effective workload management. The interview underscores the importance of creating a supportive work environment and offers insights into how Education Support is helping teachers navigate these challenges.

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Publisher: NASUWT - The Teachers' Union
Country: United Kingdom
Year of publication: 2024

Region: Europe
Topics: Cross-cutting resource Job satisfaction Mental health Recognition Respect
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers
Resource type: Web page

"Qualidade de vida: Um futuro bem vivido no presente" highlights the journey of Ney Conceição Messias Junior, a former public school teacher who transformed his life through meditation and mindfulness. At 61, Ney combines intense physical activities with his work as a gerontology specialist, advocating for successful aging and quality of life. He emphasizes the importance of mental and emotional self-care, sharing his experiences of overcoming health issues through meditation.

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Publisher: Confederação Nacional dos Trabalhadores em Educação (CNTE)
Country: Brazil
Year of publication: 2023

Region: Latin America
Topics: Mental health
Available in: Portuguese
Categories of staff: Teachers
Resource type: Web page

This opinion article highlights the challenges faced by early childhood education (ECE) personnel, emphasizing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their employment conditions. It discusses the findings of the International Barometer of the Health and Wellbeing of Education Personnel (I-BEST), which reveal issues such as poor working conditions, low salaries, lack of professional recognition, and high levels of stress and job dissatisfaction among ECE workers.

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Publisher: Education International (EI)
Year of publication: 2023

Topics: Cross-cutting resource Mental health Physical health Violence and harassment Workload
Available in: English French Spanish, Castilian
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel
Level of education: Early childhood education
Resource type: Web page

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

"Ansiedade, depressão e desesperança estão entre os distúrbios que mais acometem os professores, aponta pesquisa": The article reveals that anxiety, depression, and hopelessness are among the most common disorders affecting teachers. Conducted with 714 education workers, the study highlights the impact of remote work on their emotional health, noting physical issues like vocal cord problems and repetitive strain injuries, as well as psychological issues such as chronic stress and burnout. The findings emphasize the need for better working conditions, mental health support, and the importance of addressing the root causes of these health problems rather than just treating the symptoms.

Open resource in Portuguese

Publisher: Confederação Nacional dos Trabalhadores em Educação (CNTE)
Country: Brazil
Year of publication: 2022

Region: Latin America
Topics: Mental health
Available in: Portuguese
Categories of staff: Teachers
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.

Open resource in English

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 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.

Open resource in English

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 interview discusses the mental health challenges faced by education personnel, emphasizing the importance of holistic, person-centered care and the role of unions in advocating for better mental health support. The interviewees highlight the need for systemic changes to address workload, stress, and the performativity culture in schools, aiming to improve the overall well-being of teachers and education staff

Download resource in English

Publisher: NASUWT - The Teachers' Union Teachers Health Group MGEN EI
Country: Australia United Kingdom
Year of publication: 2019

Region: Asia Pacific Europe
Topics: Mental health
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel
Resource type: Downloadable file

The interview explores the challenges and recognition of education support personnel, highlighting differences between France and Quebec. Key issues include professional recognition, working conditions, and the role of unions in advocating for these personnel. The interview underscores the importance of acknowledging the diverse roles and contributions of ESP in the educational system.

Download resource in French

Publisher: Education and Solidarity Network (ESN)
Country: Canada France
Year of publication: 2019

Region: Europe North America and the Caribbean
Topics: Physical health Violence and harassment Women’s psychological and physical health
Available in: French
Categories of staff: Education support personnel
Resource type: Downloadable file

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Showing 17 Resources Filtered by:

Educator fatigue and burnout: When teacher exhaustion goes beyond the classroom

Court of Audit: Primary school teachers spend almost a day a week on administration, which reduces job satisfaction

Interview with Ivy Lynn Bourgeault on mental health

Why Latin American teachers are fleeing the classrooms

Teachers at the limit: The most mistreated profession in Latin America

The mental health crisis among faculty and college staff

Fresh thinking and new mental models needed to improve teacher wellbeing

Quality of life: A well-lived future in the present

Early childhood educators: New data on the challenges they face raises the alarm about an education sector at risk

Bargaining and advocacy tactics to support educators' mental health

Anxiety, depression, and hopelessness are among the most common disorders affecting teachers, according to research

Make educator well-being a priority now

How restorative practices work for students and educators

Joint interview: NASUWT and Teachers Health on mental health

School support staff: Education includes them too