More UK teachers than ever are experiencing symptoms that can lead to depression and anxiety, in a significant rise on previous levels according to our 2020 Teacher Wellbeing Index. They also experience symptoms of depression at far higher levels than the general population1 according to the latest in-depth research amongst the profession.
Half of the UK’s school teachers (52%) say their mental health declined during the first stage of the coronavirus pandemic whilst 67% of senior leaders working on-site at a school or college said the lack of timely government guidance was a key challenge for them throughout.
Commenting on the government’s proposals for schools to begin reopening from 1 June, Sinéad Mc Brearty, CEO of Education Support said:
“As keyworkers, teachers and other education staff have responded remarkably to this unprecedented crisis, showing enormous determination, adaptability, kindness and care. Many continue to work at physical school sites; the rest are working hard to teach and support our children remotely.
Over half of primary school teachers (59 per cent) and 49 per cent of secondary teachers have expressed higher levels of stress and anxiety at the beginning of this summer term than usual. The findings come as uncertainty and media speculation around schools re–opening continues unabated.
Research by the charity Education Support in partnership with YouGov has revealed that 75 per cent of the region’s teachers describe themselves as stressed because of their jobs.1
Half (55 per cent) said they had experienced insomnia/difficulty sleeping in the past year and 50 per cent had difficulties concentrating.
Leading education organisations are meeting today (30 Jan) to discuss the emotional support which could be offered to staff involved in the national rollout of compulsory changes to relationship, sex and health education in England.
Education Support, the UK’s only charity dedicated to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of all education staff in schools, colleges and universities, has appointed five new trustees, as the 142-year old charity embarks on its ‘most ambitious strategy to date’.
Work-related stress in the teaching profession has increased for a third consecutive year, with sharp rises in tearfulness, difficulty sleeping and irritability amongst education professionals across the UK.
Education Support has expanded its free and confidential helpline service to include access for all trainee teachers.
A charity that supports teachers and other staff working in education has experienced its highest number of calls ever to its emotional support helpline in the past 12 months.
