Health and well-being hub

An analysis of the working conditions, health, and well-being of education personnel across various countries. Conducted biennially since 2021, the survey includes data from over 26,000 participants, covering aspects such as sociodemographic profiles, working hours, school environment, relationships at work, violence and security, physical environment, work-life balance, health indicators, and the use of digital tools.

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Publisher: Education and Solidarity Network (ESN) Foundation for Public Health
Country: Switzerland Spain Morocco Japan France Canada Cameroon Belgium United Kingdom Argentina
Year of publication: 2023

Topics: Cross-cutting resource
Available in: English French Spanish, Castilian
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel School leaders
Level of education: Early childhood education Primary education Secondary education
Specific communities: Early-stage career Women
Resource type: Downloadable file

The AFT guide offersd strategies for individuals dealing with the loss of a loved one to suicide. It addresses the complex emotions that may arise, such as grief, guilt, and anger, and emphasizes the importance of self-care and seeking support from existing networks and professionals. The guide also provides specific advice for talking to children and teens about suicide, ensuring open and honest communication while respecting their individual grieving processes.

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Publisher: American Federation of Teachers (AFT)
Country: United States of America
Year of publication: 2022

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

The member support guide provides information about the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in the US, which offers 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors via call, text, or chat for individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts, substance use issues, mental health crises, or emotional distress. The guide explains how to determine whether a situation warrants contacting 988, what to expect during the call, and how to support someone in crisis while waiting for help. It also offers advice on post-crisis care and emphasizes the importance of seeking support for oneself after assisting someone through a crisis. It is important to note that this resource is context-specific and is intended as an example to inspire the development of similar tools in other contexts.

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Publisher: American Federation of Teachers (AFT)
Country: United States of America
Year of publication: 2022

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

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 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.

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Publisher: Education Support
Country: United Kingdom
Year of publication: 2022

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

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 (UNSA 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 (EIS)
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 (NEU)
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

Ei-iE

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

Showing 111 Resources Filtered by:

International barometer of education staff (I-BEST 2023)

Coping with death by suicide

Suicide and crisis lifeline 988: member support guide

Make educator well-being a priority now

Teacher wellbeing index - 2022

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