Teacher Mental Health
How to boost teacher mental health In the past ten years, it has become more normalized to discuss the importance of mental health, including concepts like therapy, medication, and asking for psychological support when necessary. With the introduction of legislation like the Student Mental Health Helpline Act Student Mental Health Rights Act
It’s important to focus resources on teachers’ well-being because the dangers of burnout and stress are very real in the profession. So what is the state of educators’ mental health and what can we do to boost it sustainably? We’ll answer those questions and provide ways for teachers and administrators to protect their mental health in order to give students the best opportunity for an education.
What is the state of teacher mental health today? Poor educator mental health isn’t a new phenomenon, as showcased by a 2014 Gallup report that found that 46% of K-12 teachers significantly higher prevalence
Nearly three years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, educators are still trying to realign to normal teaching practices. Despite the fact that most K-12 schools are back to in-person teaching, the value of teacher mental health is still an important conversation to have. Just one look at the teacher turnover rate will reveal that educators’ well-being is still suffering.
Mental health check Job-related stress can lead to symptoms of anxiety and depression in educators. Education Support’s “Teacher Wellbeing Index 2022” offers insight into why staff working in education may continue to “experience higher levels of depression
The report surveyed 2,082 education professionals to find that 75% of all staff in schools are stressed. In addition, the report found that 78% of educators said that they experienced mental health symptoms because of their job in 2022. When teachers continue to experience elevated levels of mental health conditions and worsening well-being, going back to work and supporting the education of students becomes more difficult.
What resources are available for struggling teachers? In a modern world that encourages transparency around mental health, it’s important to provide resources for those who need them the most. However, many Americans suffer from inaccessible health care services. From the financial burden to the difficulty finding quality care, there are many barriers that prevent teachers from finding the right resources. According to research from One Mind At Work, “a patient with major depression can spend an average of $10,836 a year
But there is good news on the horizon, with many government and independent organizations realizing the poor state of educator mental health and finding ways to provide aid. Here are some of the best services that we have found to support the mental health of teachers and school staff.
Mental Health Support Services
Happy Teacher Revolution Teaching with Mental Health in Mind Breathe for Change Teach for America The National Education Association
National legislation Educator mental health has captured the attention of lawmakers, who have introduced the following legislation to aid teachers who are in need of mental health resources:
Teacher Health and Wellness Act
The act was first introduced in the House during the 2019/2020 Congress and the main goal was to “require the Director of the National Institutes of Health to carry out a study to add to the scientific knowledge on reducing teacher stress and increasing teacher retention and well-being, and for other purposes.”
The Mental Health Matters Act
One of the most recent acts to address mental health concerns for educators, “the bill creates various grants to increase the number of school-based mental health services providers […] and prohibits arbitration and discretionary clauses in employer-sponsored benefit plans under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and establishes an occupational research program on mental health.”
If you are an educator who is struggling with mental health or an administrator who notices increasing job-related stress among the teachers in your school district, there are varying solutions. For leaders, it’s vital to offer teachers high-quality resources to increase their overall well-being. As an educator, speak up and ask for help if you are feeling negative mental health conditions.
The reality of teacher burnout Even before the notorious COVID-19 pandemic, teachers were feeling overwhelmed and underpaid; the effects of mental health led them to feel burnt out. You may have heard the term “burnout” before, but are unaware of the consequences of this state of mind. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that burnout is a “syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.”
The WHO breaks burnout into three main categories
Feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion.
Increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job.
Reduced professional efficacy.
Teachers who experience high levels of burnout can become so exhausted that they leave the job for good.
What teacher turnover tells us Turnover is the rate at which employees leave their job and are replaced. The important concept to note is that turnover takes into account the number of new workers entering the workforce. Attrition is simply the number of workers who are leaving the profession. Ideally, the attrition rate will match the number of people joining the labor force. Analysts look at the turnover rate as an indicator of how well an industry is doing, and the same can be done for the education sector.
In 2023, the teacher turnover rate is unfavorable, with educators leaving the profession at a record rate. According to a Chalkbeat report, the turnover rate was higher than it had been in the past three decades
Reasons for burnout and teacher attrition So why are educators leaving their jobs for reasons other than retirement? There are several reasons that teachers get too burnt out to return to the classroom, many citing worsening mental health leave the profession
80% said that they were burned out.
64% said that there is not enough support staff to help them.
63% said that they weren’t getting paid enough.
62% said that they spent too much of their own money on necessary supplies.
58% said that teachers are not treated with respect in their community.
Many of these factors could have a negative effect on educators’ mental health, and, without the right support, many choose to find another career that will contribute to increasing their well-being.
How to support educators in their mental health It’s up to school districts, administrators, and communities to create a healthy culture of support for teachers. Educators’ mental health is vital for flourishing schools, and it’s important to find ways to support their well-being. This includes reducing systemic barriers to getting the mental health care necessary.
According to EdSurge
To the same end, educational institutions and their leaders have an obligation to provide high-quality resources for both students and teachers. Interested in finding districts and schools exploring ways to support teachers’ mental health? Agile Education might be the right partner for you.
Reach out to our team today to learn more.
Related Resource
https://agile-ed.com/webinar-teachers-as-frontline-workers/ Teacher Stress + Burnout (Teachers As Frontline Workers Video Series)
