Ei-iE

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

  1. Ensuring safety and health at work in a changing climate
  2. Teacher and education support personnel well-being : Vital for education
  3. Webinar: The influence of school leadership and governance on teachers’ mental health and wellbeing in Africa

Caring for educators, caring for our communities

Welcome to the Education International hub dedicated to supporting the health and well-being of teachers and education support personnel (ESP) around the world. Developed in partnership with MGEN, this hub reflects our collective commitment to place education workers’ health and well-being at the centre of the global education agenda, as outlined in our 10th World Congress resolution “ Teacher and ESP well-being and mental health: vital for quality education”.

Whether you are looking for good practices, strategies, or inspiration, this hub is designed to empower unions and education communities to foster healthier, more supportive environments for teachers and education support personnel worldwide.

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Featured topics

  1. Mental health
  2. Pandemics and epidemics
  3. Physical health
  4. Safety
  5. Violence and harassment
  6. Women’s psychological and physical health
  7. Working conditions
  8. Workload

Showing All 194 Resources

Relevance Year

Fresh thinking and new mental models needed to improve teacher wellbeing

Opinion/commentary

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.

Open resource in English
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

Making universal social protection a reality

Course or training materials

The course provides an introduction to social protection, covering different issues including the human right to social security, the need for social protection over the life cycle, the process of building universal social protection systems and the key role of social protection in confronting the major challenges that the world is facing.

Open resource in English Open resource in French
Publisher
International Labour Organization (ILO) l’Ecole nationale supérieure de Sécurité sociale (EN3S)
Year of publication
2024
Topics
Social protection
Available in
English French
Categories of staff
Teachers Education support personnel School leaders Researchers
Resource type
Video

Teacher wellbeing index - 2024

Research

This report draws on a survey of over 3,000 UK education professionals to reveal persistently high levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout across the sector, with 77% of staff reporting mental health symptoms linked to their work. It highlights a worrying increase in challenging behavior from pupils (82%) and difficult interactions with parents (70%), both of which significantly impact staff wellbeing, and underscores the negative effects of inadequate support from public services on morale and work-life balance. While there are slight improvements in perceptions of workplace culture, concerns such as insomnia (46%), irritability, and concentration difficulties remain widespread.

Download resource in English
Publisher
Education Support
Country
United Kingdom
Year of publication
2024
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

Activating the recommendations on teacher well-being

Policy briefs and Policies

This briefing captures the recommendations of United Nations High-Level Panel on the Teaching Profession that are focused on teacher well-being. Key recommendations include improving working conditions, ensuring mental health support, and promoting professional autonomy and development. The Panel calls for comprehensive national policies and multi-stakeholder commissions to enhance teacher well-being and support, particularly in crisis-affected regions. 

Open resource in English Open resource in Spanish Open resource in French
Publisher
Education International (EI)
Year of publication
2024
Topics
Cross-cutting resource
Available in
English French Spanish, Castilian
Categories of staff
Teachers Education support personnel School leaders
Resource type
Downloadable file

Teacher and education support personnel well-being : Vital for education

Policy briefs and Policies

This policy brief outlines the importance of teacher and education support personnel (ESP) wellbeing to high quality education. It sets out a road map for education unions and their members on how to ensure that educational jurisdictions put in place practical strategies for enhancing the wellbeing of all teachers and ESP. All the evidence shows that student achievement is dependent on teachers and ESP who are positive about themselves and their ability to teach.

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Publisher
Education International (EI)
Year of publication
2024
Topics
Cross-cutting resource
Available in
English French Spanish, Castilian
Categories of staff
Teachers Education support personnel School leaders Researchers
Specific communities
Ethnic minorities Indigenous Peoples LGBTIQA+ Women
Resource type
Downloadable file

Teacher and ESP wellbeing and mental health: vital for quality education - Resolution from the 10th World Congress

Policy briefs and Policies

Resolution on wellbeing for quality education, adopted in 2024 by the 10th EI World Congress. The resolution highlights the lack of robust global research on this topic, the impact of poor wellbeing on education quality, and called for comprehensive policies and practices to support teacher and ESP mental health and wellbeing, especially in crisis and conflict settings.

Open resource in English Open resource in Spanish Open resource in French
Publisher
Education International (EI)
Year of publication
2024
Topics
Cross-cutting resource
Available in
English French Spanish, Castilian
Categories of staff
Teachers Education support personnel School leaders Researchers
Resource type
Web page

Teacher well-being: A global understanding

Research

This report verses about the urgent need to address teacher well-being globally. It emphasizes the importance of improving teachers' mental and physical health, job satisfaction, and resilience through systemic changes. The report identifies key factors affecting teacher well-being, such as workload, stress, and burnout, and advocates for collaborative efforts among governments, educational institutions, and international organizations to implement effective policies. It also explores the potential for a global index to measure teacher well-being, considering cultural and contextual differences.

Open resource in English
Publisher
Education International (EI) Education Support
Year of publication
2024
Topics
Cross-cutting resource
Available in
English
Categories of staff
Teachers Education support personnel School leaders
Level of education
Early childhood education Primary education Secondary education
Specific communities
Early-stage career Ethnic minorities Women
Resource type
Downloadable file

Recommendations and summary of deliberations of the United Nations Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on the Teaching Profession (2024)

Policy briefs and Policies

This document presents the Recommendations of the The High-Level Panel on the Teaching Profession that was convened by the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. It emphasizes the urgent need to address the global shortage of teachers and improve their working conditions, salaries, and professional development. It advocates for investing in teachers through competitive salaries, quality training, and continuous professional development, while promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion to attract and retain marginalized groups. The document also highlights the importance of enhancing the status and dignity of the teaching profession, encouraging innovation and leadership among teachers, and integrating education for sustainable development, peace, and democracy into teaching practices. Collaborative efforts among governments, educational institutions, and international organizations are deemed essential for effective implementation of these recommendations.

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Publisher
International Labour Organization (ILO) United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Year of publication
2024
Topics
Cross-cutting resource
Available in
English French Spanish, Castilian Arabic
Categories of staff
Teachers Education support personnel School leaders
Specific communities
Women
Resource type
Downloadable file

Disconnecting from work: Best practices guide

The document titled "Se déconnecter du travail: Guide de bonnes pratiques", published by the Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ), explores the growing issue of hyperconnectivity and the erosion of boundaries between work and personal life, particularly in the context of telework and digital tools. It examines the causes and consequences of constant connectivity, including psychosocial risks and impacts on mental health, and offers both collective and individual strategies to promote work-life balance. The guide emphasizes the importance of organizational policies, union involvement, and legal frameworks, while also providing practical tips for managing digital tools and communication habits outside of work hours.

Download resource in French
Publisher
Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ)
Country
Canada
Year of publication
2023
Region
North America and the Caribbean
Topics
Right to disconnect and technology Unpaid work Workload
Available in
French
Categories of staff
Teachers Education support personnel School leaders Union representatives

The mental health of leaders in Australian government schools: Stress and burnout over a decade (2011–2020)

Research

This research paper analyzes data from 16,460 survey responses collected through the a survey. It explores the prevalence of stress and burnout among school leaders, revealing that nearly one-third frequently experienced burnout and one in eight frequently experienced stress. The study finds that female leaders are more prone to burnout, while male leaders report higher stress levels. Additionally, primary school leaders and those in early career stages are more likely to suffer from these issues than their secondary and more experienced counterparts.

Open resource in English
Publisher
Educational Management Administration & Leadership
Country
Australia
Year of publication
2023
Region
Asia Pacific
Topics
Mental health Workload
Available in
English
Categories of staff
School leaders
Resource type
Downloadable file

Occupational well-being programme

Research

The report " Työhyvinvointi ohjelma" of the Finnish union OAJ outlines a strategy to improve the working conditions and overall well-being of professionals in the education sector. It emphasizes the importance of respectful treatment, sustainable work environments, and mental health support. The programme proposes legislative reforms, enhanced occupational safety, and better leadership practices to reduce work-related stress and prevent disability. It also promotes collaboration between employees, employers, and policymakers to ensure that educational professionals can thrive in their roles.

Download resource in Finnish
Publisher
Opetusalan Ammattijärjestö (OAJ)
Country
Finland
Year of publication
2023
Region
Europe
Topics
Peer relationships Safety Working conditions
Available in
Finnish
Categories of staff
Teachers Education support personnel School leaders Union representatives
Resource type
Downloadable file

Social–emotional skills of teachers: Mapping the content space and defining taxonomy requirements

Research

This research article presents a conceptual framework for understanding and categorizing the social–emotional skills (SEMS) of teachers, which are increasingly recognized as vital for both student development and teacher well-being. While SEMS have been widely studied in students, this paper emphasizes the need to define and structure SEMS specifically for educators, given their pivotal role in shaping classroom environments and student outcomes. Drawing from personality psychology and educational research, the authors propose a taxonomy based on the Five-Factor Model to organize key teacher SEMS such as emotion regulation, self-efficacy, enthusiasm, and interpersonal skills.

Open resource in English
Publisher
Frontiers in Education
Year of publication
2023
Topics
Social emotional skills
Available in
English
Categories of staff
Teachers
Resource type
Downloadable file

Healthy professional worker partnership: Academia case study survey findings

Research

This report explores the trajectory of 379 academic professionals from experiencing mental health issues to decisions around workplace adjustments, leave, and the return-to-work process, with attention to differences by gender and academic status. Key insights include that 60% of respondents reported a mental health issue; among those, 54% modified their work and 23% took a formal leave, of whom 83% ultimately returned, though return rates varied significantly by employment type. Women and tenure-track academics were particularly affected by increased psychological distress, burnout, and presenteeism during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Download resource in English
Publisher
Healthy Professional Worker Partnership
Country
Canada
Year of publication
2023
Region
North America and the Caribbean
Topics
Mental health Pandemics and epidemics Workload
Available in
English
Categories of staff
Researchers
Resource type
Downloadable file

Joint union heatwave protocol

Guides

The Joint Union Heatwave Protocol from the NEU provides practical guidance for schools and colleges to prepare for and respond to extreme heat events, which are becoming more frequent due to climate change. It outlines short-term measures such as adjusting dress codes, modifying lunch menus, relocating classes, and ensuring access to water and ventilation. It also recommends long-term planning, including retrofitting buildings, improving ventilation, and conducting risk assessments to protect staff and students. The protocol encourages collaboration between employers and union representatives to ensure health, safety, and minimal disruption to learning during heatwaves

Open resource in English
Publisher
National Education Union (NEU)
Country
United Kingdom
Year of publication
2023
Region
Europe
Topics
Climate change Physical health
Available in
English
Categories of staff
Teachers Education support personnel School leaders
Resource type
Online ressource

Violence and assaults against staff in schools model policy

Toolkits

The NEU's Model Policy on Violence and Assaults Against Staff provides a structured framework for schools to prevent and respond to workplace violence. It emphasizes the importance of creating a safe working environment by setting clear expectations and procedures for handling incidents involving physical or verbal abuse. The accompanying Model Reporting Form is designed to document all instances of violence, threats, or abuse directed at school staff, including supply teachers and contractors, ensuring that such incidents are properly recorded and addressed

Open resource in English
Publisher
National Education Union (NEU)
Country
United Kingdom
Year of publication
2023
Region
Europe
Topics
Violence and harassment
Available in
English
Categories of staff
Teachers Education support personnel School leaders
Resource type
Downloadable file