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: Findings from a scoping literature review and case studies in Cambodia, Kenya, and Qatar

Research

The report presents a global exploration of teacher wellbeing, combining a systematic review of 102 academic articles (2016–2020) with original fieldwork. It includes case studies based on interviews with 90 teachers and 16 principals from high-performing schools in Cambodia, Kenya, and Qatar, along with 11 policymakers. These case studies helped infer the underlying processes that promote teacher wellbeing by analyzing participants’ reflections on their behaviors and conditions during their most fulfilling teaching experiences. The report identifies key factors that foster wellbeing, such as feeling valued, supportive environments, and emotional regulation, while also highlighting risks like burnout. Despite contextual differences, common themes emerged across countries, emphasizing the importance of supporting teachers’ mental health and professional fulfillment.

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Publisher
World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) The Wellbeing Project Center for Health Policy & Inequalities Research (CHPIR) at Duke University ACE Africa Kenya Development for Cambodian Children (DCC)
Country
Cambodia Qatar Kenya
Year of publication
2021
Region
Arab Countries Africa Asia Pacific
Topics
Mental health Working conditions
Available in
English
Categories of staff
Teachers
Resource type
Downloadable file

Restarting professional communities and staff well-being

Toolkits

The document "Genstart: Arbejdsfællesskaber og kollegial trivsel – Pjece om trivsel på arbejdspladsen" from the Danish Union of Teachers (Danmarks Lærerforening - DLF) focuses on rebuilding strong professional communities and promoting collegial wellbeing among teachers in the wake of disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic. It offers practical strategies for improving workplace relationships, fostering trust, and creating a supportive environment where teachers can thrive both personally and professionally. The guide emphasizes the importance of shared responsibility, open dialogue, and leadership that prioritizes mental health and collaboration in schools.

Download resource in Danish
Publisher
Danish Union of Teachers (DLF)
Country
Denmark
Year of publication
2021
Region
Europe
Topics
Leadership Mental health Pandemics and epidemics Peer relationships
Available in
Danish
Resource type
Downloadable file

Aspiring educators: Protect your mental health

Guides

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.

Open resource in English
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

Mental health in academia: The challenges faculty face predate the pandemic and require systemic solutions

Research

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.

Open resource in English
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 psychological toll for academic staff of COVID-19

Research

This article offers a synthesis of a research report of McMaster University on the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on academic staff. The findings revealed significant mental health challenges, including increased anxiety, depression, and thoughts of death among respondents. The pandemic exacerbated existing issues such as heavy workloads, digital stress, and the need to balance professional and domestic responsibilities. The study highlighted the disproportionate impact on early career researchers, parents, women, 2SLGBTQ+ individuals, those with disabilities, and BIPOC populations. Academic staff associations are advocating for better mental health support and systemic changes to address these challenges.

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Publisher
Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT/ACPPU)
Country
Canada
Year of publication
2021
Region
North America and the Caribbean
Topics
Mental health Pandemics and epidemics Right to disconnect and technology Workload
Available in
English French
Categories of staff
Teachers School leaders Researchers
Level of education
Higher education and research
Resource type
Web page

Six strategies to take care of a teacher

Guides

The article discusses six small strategies for teachers to take care of themselves. It emphasizes the importance of adjusting daily routines to maintain physical and mental health, creating a personal space for relaxation, prioritizing self-care, learning new skills, engaging in small activities to feel better, and taking care of one's body as a crucial tool for teaching.

Open resource in Spanish
Publisher
Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación (SNTE)
Country
Mexico
Year of publication
2020
Region
North America and the Caribbean
Topics
Mental health Physical health
Available in
Spanish, Castilian
Categories of staff
Teachers
Resource type
Web page

Canadian teachers responding to coronavirus (COVID-19) – Pandemic research study mental health report

Research

The CTF/FCE Pandemic Study Phase One Survey was conducted between June 1-18 in 2020, and had over 15,000 teachers participating. From the responses to this Survey, CTF/FCE reported on the mental health of students and teachers, and documented concerning mental health trends, as educators navigated emergency remote teaching in 2020.

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Publisher
Canadian Teachers' Federation/Fédération canadienne des enseignantes et des enseignants (CTF/FCE)
Country
Canada
Year of publication
2020
Region
North America and the Caribbean
Topics
Mental health Pandemics and epidemics Physical health
Available in
English
Resource type
Downloadable file

Addressing the epidemic of trauma in schools

Research

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

Mental health charter

Toolkits

The charter outlines key principles and strategies to promote mental wellbeing among school and college staff. It emphasizes the importance of creating a safe workplace, providing support from colleagues and managers, ensuring fair and equal treatment, establishing clear procedures and roles, allowing personal and social time, and conducting stress risk assessments. The charter aims to integrate mental health considerations into the culture, organization, and management of educational institutions.

Open resource in English
Publisher
National Education Union (NEU)
Country
United Kingdom
Year of publication
2019
Region
Europe
Topics
Mental health Respect Violence and harassment Workload
Available in
English
Categories of staff
Teachers Education support personnel School leaders Researchers
Resource type
Downloadable file

Mental health and work-related stress toolkit

Toolkits

The NASUWT's Mental Health and Work-related Stress Toolkit is designed to support educators in managing and mitigating work-related stress, anxiety, and depression. It provides a comprehensive collection of resources, including links to model action plans, risk assessments, and guidance from the Health and Safety Executive, the United Kingdom’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. The toolkit emphasizes the importance of treating mental health issues as workplace hazards, requiring risk assessments and proactive measures. It also offers support for immediate help and management conversations around mental health, aiming to create a healthier work environment for teachers.

Open resource in English
Publisher
NASUWT - The Teachers' Union
Country
United Kingdom
Year of publication
2019
Region
Europe
Topics
Mental health Safety
Available in
English
Categories of staff
Teachers
Resource type
Web page

Joint interview: NASUWT and Teachers Health on mental health

Opinion/commentary

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

Teacher and education support personnel’s mental health - Resolution from the 8th World Congress

Policy briefs and Policies

Resolution on wellbeing for quality education, adopted in 2019 by the 8th EI World Congress. The resolution highlights the critical role of quality education in the wellbeing of children and young people, emphasizing the need for investment in mental health support for students and education personnel.

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Publisher
Education International (EI)
Year of publication
2019
Topics
Mental health Working conditions Workload
Available in
English French Spanish, Castilian
Categories of staff
Teachers Education support personnel
Specific communities
Ethnic minorities Indigenous Peoples LGBTIQA+ Women
Resource type
Web page

Working conditions and teacher health

Research

This publication collects a series of articles that examine the critical relationship between teachers' working conditions and their physical and mental health. It highlights the growing stress and pressure faced by educators due to neoliberal education policies, increased workloads, and precarious employment. Through diverse contributions from Latin American educators and researchers, the publication underscores how systemic issues, such as privatization and market-driven reforms, have led to deteriorating health outcomes among teachers.

Open resource in Spanish
Publisher
Red SEPA (Social para la Educación Pública en América)
Country
Argentina Brazil Mexico
Year of publication
2018
Region
Latin America
Topics
Mental health Physical health Working conditions Workload
Available in
Spanish, Castilian
Categories of staff
Teachers Education support personnel School leaders
Resource type
Downloadable file

Talking toolkit preventing work-related stress in schools

Toolkits

This toolkit provides practical guidance for school leaders to have simple and practical conversations with school employees about work-related stress. It includes models for illustration purposes, offering strategies for creating a supportive work environment, conducting risk assessments, and implementing effective stress management practices.

Download resource in English
Publisher
NASUWT - The Teachers' Union Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
Country
United Kingdom
Year of publication
2018
Region
Europe
Topics
Mental health Physical health Workload
Available in
English
Categories of staff
Teachers
Resource type
Downloadable file

Fit mind, fit Job: From evidence to practice in mental health and work

Research

This OECD report brings together insights from nine country studies and an earlier publication, "Sick on the Job?", to examine the intersection of mental health and employment. It highlights the widespread impact of mental ill-health on labour markets, including high rates of sickness absence, unemployment, and disability claims. The report emphasizes the urgent need for stronger, evidence-based policy responses to better support individuals with mental health conditions in the workplace, improve treatment access, and foster inclusive employment practices that promote both mental well-being and economic productivity

Open resource in English Open resource in French
Publisher
Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
Year of publication
2015
Topics
Mental health
Available in
English French
Categories of staff
Teachers Education support personnel School leaders Union representatives
Resource type
Downloadable file