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Health and well-being hub

Mental health

Mental health significantly influences educators’ overall well-being and their ability to thrive in the classroom. When teachers and education support personnel experience stress, burnout, anxiety, or depression, it can affect how they perceive their own effectiveness, often leading to reduced confidence and motivation in their work. This emotional strain can make it harder to stay engaged, plan lessons effectively, and respond to students’ needs. At the same time, mental health challenges can interfere with classroom management, making it more difficult to maintain a positive and structured learning environment.

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Topics: Mental health
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Teacher wellbeing index - 2023

Research

The Teacher Wellbeing Index 2023 sheds light on the mounting mental health crisis within the UK education sector. Drawing on responses from over 3,000 education professionals, the report reveals widespread experiences of stress, burnout, and sleep disturbances, particularly among school leaders. Feelings of loneliness are alarmingly high, with education staff reporting twice the level of workplace loneliness compared to the general population. Confidence in the current inspection framework is critically low, with the majority viewing it as detrimental to mental health and lacking in credibility.

Make educator well-being a priority now

Opinion/commentary

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.

Teacher mental health during COVID-19: Pandemic research report

Research

The report captures the firsthand experiences of teachers during the 2020-2021 school year. It reveals how various aspects of their professional lives, exacerbated by the pandemic, contributed to a decline in mental health. The report is based on narratives from interviews with 110 teachers, highlighting the significant impact of high job demands, lack of support, and the challenges of adapting to new teaching environments.

“Social emotional development for teachers”: An innovative program to improve teacher well-being in El Salvador

Research

This article is part of a compilation of case studies that detail promising practices in teacher well‑being, teacher management, and school leadership. The "Social Emotional Development for Teachers" program in El Salvador aims to enhance teacher well-being by addressing the significant social and emotional challenges they face, such as stress from gang violence and community insecurity. The program provides over 3,000 teachers with training in social-emotional learning strategies and mindfulness practices to help them manage their emotions and reduce stress. This initiative is designed to improve teachers' relationships with students, parents, and colleagues, ultimately enhancing their effectiveness in the classroom and contributing to a more positive educational environment.

Developing teachers’ abilities to create trauma-informed classrooms and teach psychological resilience-building using cognitive behavioral approaches in Mindanao, Philippines.

Research

This article is part of a compilation of case studies that detail promising practices in teacher well‑being, teacher management, and school leadership. The initiative focuses on enhancing teachers' abilities to create trauma-informed classrooms and build psychological resilience using cognitive behavioral approaches. The program aims to equip teachers with coping skills and resilience-building techniques for their own mental well-being. By understanding their own mental health needs and learning evidence-based psychological strategies, teachers can better manage their emotions and stress.

‘Supporting the supporters’: Refugee teachers and teachers living in protracted conflicts

Research

This article is part of a compilation of case studies that detail promising practices in teacher well‑being, teacher management, and school leadership. The NRC provides comprehensive support mechanisms for teachers, including capacity building, expressive arts therapy, recreational activities, and a phone hotline for counseling. These efforts aim to equip teachers with the skills to address their own emotional and social needs, thereby improving their ability to support their students effectively. The initiative has shown positive outcomes, with teachers reporting increased resilience, improved stress management, and enhanced professional growth.

Teacher wellbeing index - 2022

Research

The Teacher Wellbeing Index 2022 highlights a worsening mental health crisis in the UK education sector, with high levels of stress, burnout, and emotional exhaustion reported across the workforce, particularly among school leaders. Many education professionals feel unable to take time off when unwell and regularly experience symptoms such as insomnia, low mood, and difficulty concentrating. The report shows that poor work-life balance, excessive workload, and feeling undervalued are major reasons staff are considering leaving the profession. Despite these challenges, it also emphasizes the critical role of supportive leadership, a positive workplace culture, and access to mental health resources in improving staff wellbeing and retention.

EIS member survey 2021: Health and wellbeing findings

Research

The survey, which gathered responses from over 16,000 teachers in Scotland, reveals that educators have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with many reporting high levels of stress and unsustainable workloads. The survey, conducted over a period of 18 days in November 2021, included 32 questions covering topics such as workload, COVID-19, and health and wellbeing. The findings highlight the ongoing challenges teachers face, including the need to constantly adapt to new safety measures and provide blended learning for students.

Publisher
Educational Institute of Scotland
Country
United Kingdom
Year of publication
2021
Region
Europe
Topics
Cross-cutting resource Mental health Pandemics and epidemics Workload
Available in
English
Categories of staff
Teachers
Resource type
Downloadable file

Supporting staff wellbeing in higher education

Research

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.

Wellbeing: Leading and managing a well workplace

Guides

The document provides comprehensive guidance for educational leaders on fostering a healthy workplace. It emphasizes the importance of promoting staff wellbeing through effective leadership, stress management, and creating a supportive work environment. The document covers various topics, including work-life balance, managing stress, and the role of leaders in shaping a positive workplace culture. It aims to equip leaders with the tools and strategies needed to enhance the overall health and wellbeing of their staff, ultimately contributing to a more effective and sustainable educational environment.

Publisher
National Education Union
Country
United Kingdom
Year of publication
2021
Region
Europe
Topics
Cross-cutting resource Leadership Mental health Physical health Workload
Available in
English
Categories of staff
School leaders
Resource type
Downloadable file

Health and safety handbook: Health, safety and welfare Issues

Guides

The Health and safety handbook on health, safety, and welfare issues provides comprehensive guidance for health and safety representatives in schools. It covers a wide range of topics, including accident reporting, asbestos management, bullying, class sizes, and stress management. The handbook emphasizes the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment for staff and students, detailing procedures for handling various health and safety concerns, and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations. It aims to equip representatives with the knowledge and tools needed to effectively manage health and safety issues in educational settings. This handbook was specifically elaborated for the context of the UK but includes useful information that other member organizations can use as a reference for developing their own materials.

Publisher
NASUWT - The Teachers' Union
Country
United Kingdom
Year of publication
2021
Region
Europe
Topics
Cross-cutting resource Mental health Physical health Safety Working conditions
Available in
English
Categories of staff
School leaders
Resource type
Web page

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

Course or training materials

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.

Teachers health fund mobilises for inclusion and respect of Aboriginal People’s rights

Campaign documents

The initiative of the organization Teachers Health, Reconciliation Action Plan, aims to bridge the gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal populations by promoting understanding, respect, and support for Aboriginal communities. This initiative highlights the need for concrete actions to address disparities in health, employment, income, life expectancy, and discrimination.

Publisher
Reconciliation Australia
Country
Australia
Year of publication
2021
Region
Asia Pacific
Topics
Mental health Physical health
Available in
English
Categories of staff
Teachers
Specific communities
Indigenous Peoples
Resource type
Video

The global report on the status of teachers 2021

Research

The 2021 edition of the Global Report on the Status of Teachers 2021 provides a comprehensive analysis of the challenges and conditions faced by teachers worldwide. It highlights issues such as teacher workload, attrition, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the profession. Also emphasizes the need for better working conditions, professional development, and increased public investment in education to improve the status and well-being of teachers globally.

International barometer on education personnel’s health and well-being - International report 2021

Research

The report of the first edition of the International Barometer offers an overview of the health and well-being of education personnel, highlighting their working conditions, professional environment, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. It discusses factors such as organizational and motivational aspects, school climate, physical environment, work-life balance, and the prevalence of violence and security issues at work. The report also identifies the training needs, support systems, and social protection measures required by education personnel to improve their overall health and well-being.