Education Support Partnership, the UK's only charity committed to the wellbeing and mental health of everyone working in education, is demanding urgent action be taken by the government and sector to address a stress epidemic and rising mental health issues across the entire UK education workforce. This follows the release today (22 October) of Ed Support's Teacher Wellbeing Index 2018, conducted in partnership with YouGov.
More than three-quarters of teachers surveyed experienced work-related behavioural, psychological or physical symptoms and more than half were considering leaving the profession due to poor health. Senior leaders have been particularly hard hit with 80% suffering from work-related stress, 40% suffering from symptoms of depression and 63% considering leaving the profession – an issue, which unaddressed will leave many schools with no one to lead, motivate staff and maintain and improve educational outcomes.
Key findings include:
The 2018 results – when compared to ESP’s Health Survey 2017 – revealed a significant rise in several mental health and wellbeing-related symptoms. Rising levels of insomnia and irritability/mood swings over the last year were the most common factors:
Heralded as the most comprehensive report into the wellbeing of educational professionals –spanning teaching assistants and newly qualified teachers through to senior leaders across primary, secondary and further education – the Index builds on the findings of ESP’s 2017 survey and will act as a benchmark to analyse findings in the education sector over time.
The Teacher Wellbeing Index 2018 is structured around four main themes:
Section one builds a picture of the sector overall – key statistics include:
Section two looks at mental health at an individual level, key findings include:
Section three examines the impact of an individual’s mental health and wellbeing on others in the sector, key findings include:
Section four discusses mental health and wellbeing guidance available to educators:
Following the results of the 2018 Index, Julian Stanley, CEO of Education Support Partnership, is adamant that the stress epidemic and rise in poor mental health across the education workforce be addressed and is calling for the introduction of the following measures:
Commenting on the 2018 Index, Julian Stanley said:
“Of particular concern for me this year is the sharp rise in poor mental health amongst senior leaders. We must do more to protect this group and support them to manage their own wellbeing as well as equipping them with the resources to create a positive mental health culture for their staff.
“Teaching is one of the most important jobs there is, a chance to shape the future of the next generation. But by turning the role into an unmanageable task or failing to make wellbeing a priority in schools we risk alienating those with the passion and skill to succeed.
“We will be working closely with the Government, and key stakeholders, to drive forward a sector-led movement that delivers meaningful policy-level changes that leave a lasting impact on the lives and wellbeing of teachers, staff and pupils.”
The full Teacher Wellbeing Index 2018 is available on the Education Support Partnership website - http://www.educationsupportpartnership.org.uk/wellbeing-index
Further statistics about the state of mental health in the education workforce :
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