Mental Health – Education Part 1: Teachers

How did you act in school, college, university or any other place you’ve been educated or trained? I know for a fact that I was not always the easiest student. I enjoyed education but there were times when I gave my teachers a hard time. Now on the other side of the whiteboard, as a teacher myself, I think it is important to talk about this issue. Research has shown that 75% of all education staff have faced physical or mental health issues in the last two years because of their work.

I can remember the teachers who had a positive impact on my education and I’m sure you can too, but have we ever stopped to think about what that may have cost them? Teachers are wonderful people, who have dedicated their lives to helping people learn, yet they receive a raw deal from a lot of us. I have observed teachers in various settings and the behaviour they have to deal with on a daily basis is shocking. They have abuse hurled at them, deal with extremely challenging behaviour and are even intimidated by their students. While students do not have an easy time either (which I will talk about next time) they fail to realise that teachers are just like you and me; we can all hurt and feel. I have had to comfort teachers who have been reduced to tears from a day at work in a school; something needs to change. We all need to remember that while they are here to help, they also have emotions and feelings that need to be taken into consideration too.

Students are only one side of the coin and, even then, not all students are challenging. One of the other biggest stresses and difficulties of being a teacher comes from the insecurity of the profession. I ask anyone reading this to just imagine for a moment walking into their workplace and, after dealing with months of challenging behaviour from students, to then have to wonder, if after all they have endured, whether they will still have a job for the next year. Retention and recruitment are huge factors in keeping a positive mental attitude, how can we not worry when we don’t even know if we will remain employed or where the next job will be? This is something which needs addressing at various levels of course, but for teachers who already have a stressful and difficult job, this makes the situation so much worse for them.

Shifting focus to any fellow teachers reading this; I want you to know you are all stronger than you realise. It can be a struggle to get through the day and sometimes we don’t know where to turn. Always talk to a colleague or a friend if you are finding it hard, talk to your GP and see if they can refer you to a service to help. There are so many resources out there that we are unaware of and you should never have to suffer in silence or feel like you cannot ask for the help you need. One great charity who can help is Education Support whose details are below.

My intention here is to highlight the struggle that many don’t even realise is taking place. For students and their parents – remember that your teachers are human beings, they have feelings too and it is never okay to treat them or anyone else with disrespect; they are there to help and guide you; make use of that while you can. For teachers – and indeed anyone struggling with their mental health – Speak out and find the help you need because without you, the world wouldn’t be as bright.

Education Support:

https://www.educationsupport.org.uk

08000 562 561