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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A five-part video series on teachers’ social-emotional skills, designed to help educators develop essential abilities that enhance both personal well-being and professional effectiveness. The journey begins with self-discovery, introducing techniques to cultivate self-awareness and self-management through mindfulness practices. These tools are intended to support personal healing, strengthen connection to one’s purpose, and foster greater satisfaction in teaching practice.

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Publisher: National Education Association (NEA)
Country: United States of America
Year of publication: 2023

Region: North America and the Caribbean
Topics: Mental health Social emotional skills
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers
Resource type: Video

This executive summary of the research report provides an overview of the findings from a study on teacher workload in Ireland. It highlights the increasing demands on teachers and principals, including administrative tasks, curriculum overload, and special education needs. The report emphasizes the need for additional support, such as administrative assistance, reduced class sizes, and dedicated time for planning and collaboration. .

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Publisher: Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO)
Country: Ireland
Year of publication: 2023

Region: Europe
Topics: Workload
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel School leaders Union representatives
Resource type: Downloadable file

This guidance is aimed at employers, government policymakers, and trade unions, particularly union representatives and negotiators. Its objective is to provide evidence and a clear framework for reforming workplace policies so that menstruation and menopause are recognised and supported, stigma is reduced, and workers’ wellbeing and equality are promoted within a modern labour force.

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Publisher: Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) Fórsa Trade Union Financial Services Union (FSU) Communication Workers’ Union (CWU) Irish Nurses Midwives Organisation (INMO) Services, Industrial, Professional, and Technical Union (SIPTU) UNITE the union Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU)
Country: Ireland
Year of publication: 2023

Region: Europe
Topics: Women’s psychological and physical health
Available in: English
Categories of staff: School leaders Union representatives
Resource type: Downloadable file

The "Menopause in the Workplace Policy Framework" provides comprehensive guidelines for civil service organizations to support employees experiencing menopause. It emphasizes creating an inclusive and supportive work environment, detailing key principles such as health, safety, welfare, and equality. The framework includes guidance on policy development, workplace adjustments, roles and responsibilities

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Publisher: Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) Department of Public Expenditure NDP Delivery
Country: Ireland
Year of publication: 2023

Region: Europe
Topics: Women’s psychological and physical health
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel School leaders Union representatives
Resource type: Downloadable file

This opinion article highlights the challenges faced by early childhood education (ECE) personnel, emphasizing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their employment conditions. It discusses the findings of the International Barometer of the Health and Wellbeing of Education Personnel (I-BEST), which reveal issues such as poor working conditions, low salaries, lack of professional recognition, and high levels of stress and job dissatisfaction among ECE workers.

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Publisher: Education International (EI)
Year of publication: 2023

Topics: Cross-cutting resource Mental health Physical health Violence and harassment Workload
Available in: English French Spanish, Castilian
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel
Level of education: Early childhood education
Resource type: Web page

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.

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Publisher: Education Support
Country: United Kingdom
Year of publication: 2023

Region: Europe
Topics: Cross-cutting resource Leadership Mental health Pandemics and epidemics 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

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: Argentina Belgium Cameroon Canada France Japan Morocco Spain Switzerland United Kingdom
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 NEA article highlights a growing crisis in education, with 55% of educators considering leaving their jobs earlier than planned, a sharp rise from 37% just months prior. The survey reveals that this trend spans all roles and demographics, with Black and Hispanic/Latino educators disproportionately affected. The pandemic has intensified long-standing staffing shortages, leaving teachers overwhelmed, covering for absent colleagues, and unable to provide adequate support to students. NEA President Becky Pringle calls it a “five-alarm crisis”, urging elected officials to take immediate action to prevent a mass exodus and ensure students receive the attention and mental health support they need.

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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: Mental health Pandemics and epidemics Workload
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers
Specific communities: Ethnic minorities
Resource type: Web page

This study explored the social emotional health and resilience of 1,200 teachers from Latvia, Lithuania, and the Slovak Republic. Researchers assessed post-pandemic well-being across elementary, secondary, and high schools. Results showed high levels of covitality, especially in belief in self, belief in others, emotional competence, and engaged living, and moderate resilience in all three countries. Positive teacher strengths that were identified are self-regulation, empathy, cognitive reappraisal.

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Publisher: Human, Technologies and Quality of Education
Country: Latvia Lithuania Slovakia
Year of publication: 2022

Region: Europe
Topics: Mental health Pandemics and epidemics Social emotional skills
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers
Resource type: Downloadable file

Vold, trusler og magtanvendelseg is a guidance document aimed at supporting teachers and school staff in handling situations involving violence, threats, and the use of force in Danish schools. It outlines the legal framework, including the rights and obligations of employees, and provides practical advice on how to respond to incidents, report them, and seek support. The pamphlet emphasizes the importance of preventive measures, clear communication, and collaboration between staff, management, and local authorities to ensure a safe and respectful working environment.

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Publisher: Danish Union of Teachers (DLF)
Country: Denmark
Year of publication: 2022

Region: Europe
Topics: Physical health Violence and harassment Working conditions
Available in: Danish
Categories of staff: Teachers
Resource type: Downloadable file

The guidance note provides strategies to support teachers' mental health and overall wellbeing in crisis contexts. It emphasizes the importance of promoting access to mental health and psychosocial support, creating enabling work environments, and enhancing teacher voice, agency, and leadership. The guidance is aligned with the INEE Minimum Standards and offers practical recommendations, tools, and examples to help educators, policymakers, and humanitarian actors improve the resilience and effectiveness of education systems in emergencies.

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Publisher: Inter-agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE)
Country: Colombia Kenya Myanmar Palestine
Year of publication: 2022

Topics: Leadership Mental health Safety Working conditions
Available in: English French Spanish, Castilian Portuguese Arabic Ukrainian
Categories of staff: Teachers
Resource type: Downloadable file

This short film created by the teacher union EIS during Mental Health Awareness Week, features three members who share personal insights on the critical role of mental health in education. The video emphasizes how collective action through union support can lead to meaningful improvements in workplace wellbeing.

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Publisher: Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS)
Country: United Kingdom
Year of publication: 2022

Region: Europe
Topics: Mental health Physical health Working conditions
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers
Resource type: Video

"Ansiedade, depressão e desesperança estão entre os distúrbios que mais acometem os professores, aponta pesquisa": The article reveals that anxiety, depression, and hopelessness are among the most common disorders affecting teachers. Conducted with 714 education workers, the study highlights the impact of remote work on their emotional health, noting physical issues like vocal cord problems and repetitive strain injuries, as well as psychological issues such as chronic stress and burnout. The findings emphasize the need for better working conditions, mental health support, and the importance of addressing the root causes of these health problems rather than just treating the symptoms.

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Publisher: Confederação Nacional dos Trabalhadores em Educação (CNTE)
Country: Brazil
Year of publication: 2022

Region: Latin America
Topics: Mental health
Available in: Portuguese
Categories of staff: Teachers
Resource type: Web page

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

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

Caring for educators, caring for our communities

Featured topics

Showing All 194 Resources

Put on your own oxygen mask first: Cultivating healing and wellbeing in ourselves - A five-part video series

Teacher workload: Executive summary of the INTO research report

Menstruation and menopause: Workplace policy reform for a modern labour force - A trade union led initiative

Menopause in the workplace policy framework for civil service organisations

Early childhood educators: New data on the challenges they face raises the alarm about an education sector at risk

Teacher wellbeing index - 2023

International barometer of education staff (I-BEST 2023)

Bargaining and advocacy tactics to support educators' mental health

Social emotional health and resilience of teachers in the East European countries

Violence, threats and power application

Guidance note on teacher wellbeing in emergency settings

Supporting our mental health and wellbeing

Anxiety, depression, and hopelessness are among the most common disorders affecting teachers, according to research

Coping with death by suicide

Suicide and crisis lifeline 988: member support guide