Ei-iE

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 - 2021

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 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.

Download resource in English
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

Newsletter Vol. 1. No. 5.: Protecting & promoting teachers & teaching

This newsletter centers on the impact of COVID-19 on educators, with a strong focus on teacher well-being during the circuit breaker period. It presents survey findings on Home-Based Learning (HBL) and Leave of Absence/Stay-Home Notice policies, highlighting increased workloads, uneven support across departments, and health concerns. The newsletter also introduces the “Teacher Wellness@STU” initiative, encouraging educators to build resilience and emotional strength, and offers resources, consultations, and wellness guidance to help teachers navigate the challenges of remote teaching and pandemic-related stress.

Download resource in English
Publisher
Singapore Teachers' Union (STU)
Country
Singapore
Year of publication
2020
Region
Asia Pacific
Topics
Mental health Pandemics and epidemics Social emotional skills Working conditions
Available in
English
Categories of staff
Teachers Union representatives

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

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.

Download resource in English
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

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

Research

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.

Download resource in English
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

CTERA national survey: "Health and working conditions of teachers in times of health emergency"

Research

The CTERA National Survey Report titled presents an analysis of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Argentine education workers. Conducted between May and June 2020, the study highlights how teachers adapted to remote work amid school closures, facing significant challenges to maintain educational continuity. It underscores the strain on their health and working conditions, exacerbated by prior neoliberal policies that weakened public education and labor protections.

Open resource in Spanish
Publisher
Confederación de Trabajadores de la Educación de la República Argentina
Country
Argentina
Year of publication
2020
Region
Latin America
Topics
Mental health Pandemics and epidemics Physical health
Available in
Spanish, Castilian
Categories of staff
Teachers School leaders Union representatives
Resource type
Online ressource

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

Guides

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

Teachers’ well-being: A framework for data collection and analysis

Research

The OECD framework for data collection and analysis of teachers' well-being proposes a comprehensive conceptual framework to analyse teachers’ occupational well-being and its linkages with quality teaching. It identifies four key components of well-being: physical and mental, cognitive, subjective, and social. The framework explores how working conditions at both system and school levels can influence these aspects, and it outlines expected outcomes, such as reduced stress and lower turnover intentions for teachers, and improved classroom processes and student well-being.

Open resource in English
Publisher
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
Year of publication
2020
Topics
Cross-cutting resource Job satisfaction Mental health Workload
Available in
English
Categories of staff
Teachers
Resource type
Downloadable file

The teachers’ well-being conceptual framework: Contributions from TALIS 2018

Research

The OECD's "Teachers' Well-Being Conceptual Framework" report, based on data from TALIS 2018, aims to explore the complex relationship between teachers' working conditions and their well-being. It defines teachers' well-being as a multi-dimensional concept encompassing cognitive, subjective, social, physical, and mental aspects. The framework highlights how improved working conditions can enhance job satisfaction, reduce stress and burnout, and positively impact teachers' performance and students' learning environments.

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Publisher
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
Year of publication
2020
Topics
Cross-cutting resource Mental health Physical health Working conditions
Available in
English French
Categories of staff
Teachers
Resource type
Downloadable file

Supporting the mental health and wellbeing of ourselves and others

Guides

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.

Open resource in English
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

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

Course or training materials

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.

Open resource in English
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

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

Course or training materials

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.

Open resource in English
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

Educational communities mobilize for universal health coverage

Webinar and conference recordings

The Education and Solidarity Network organized this webinar to discuss Universal Health Coverage and the role of educational communities in this mobilization for #HealthForAll. The event highlighted the challenges of Universal Health Coverage, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the interdependence between health and education. Key speakers, including representatives from mutual benefit societies and educational unions, shared insights on obstacles to implementation, advocacy actions, and the importance of maintaining safe and dignified working conditions for educators.

Open resource in English Open resource in Spanish Open resource in French
Publisher
Education and Solidarity Network (ESN)
Country
Canada Colombia Democratic Republic of the Congo
Year of publication
2020
Topics
Mental health Pandemics and epidemics Physical health
Available in
English
Categories of staff
Teachers Education support personnel
Resource type
Video

Teacher wellbeing index - 2020

Research

The Teacher Wellbeing Index 2020 reveals that the COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted the mental health of UK education staff, leading to increased stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout. The report highlights the challenges of transitioning to online teaching, managing pupil behavior, and dealing with personal safety concerns. Despite some improvements in workplace culture and organizational support, the overall wellbeing of education staff remains a critical issue, requiring urgent action to enhance working conditions and support systems to address these pandemic-related challenges effectively.

Download resource in English
Publisher
Education Support
Country
United Kingdom
Year of publication
2020
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

Daylight Requirements and Views in the Workplace: Effects on Health and Behavior

Research

"Dagsljuskrav och utblick på arbetsplatsen": The research report explores the impact of daylight requirements and views in the workplace on health and behavior. It highlights the importance of natural light for maintaining circadian rhythms, improving sleep, reducing daytime sleepiness, and enhancing mood. The report discusses various methods for measuring daylight exposure and recommends prioritizing natural light over artificial alternatives.

Download resource in Swedish
Publisher
Arbetsmiljöverket Stressforskningsinstitutet Stockholms universitet
Country
Sweden
Year of publication
2019
Region
Europe
Topics
Mental health Physical health Working conditions
Available in
Swedish
Categories of staff
Teachers
Resource type
Downloadable file

Teacher wellbeing index - 2019

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 Teacher Wellbeing Index – 2019 paints a concerning portrait of the emotional toll faced by the UK education workforce. Highlighted are elevated stress levels, particularly among senior leaders, widespread symptoms like insomnia, irritability, and mental health concerns, and alarming patterns of presenteeism. Excessive workload, poor work–life balance, and student behavioral challenges emerge as key contributors. Yet, resilience remains evident among many professionals, while gaps persist in access to and confidence in seeking support.

Download resource in English
Publisher
Education Support
Country
United Kingdom
Year of publication
2019
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