By Gabriel Princewill-
A recent survey has revealed that a large proportion of teachers are suffering from mental health problems and require intervention. Charity Education Support Partnership has warned that the need for clear measures that protect the well being and mental health of its teachers is very urgent.
The charity says in the past year it has been increasingly expanding its work outside crisis
support for individuals, to influence structural and environmental factors that can reduce the risk of poor mental health and well being. An estimated 75% of teachers said they had experienced behavioural, psychological or physical symptoms due to their profession .One in four said they have experienced depression and anxiety in relation to the teaching profession.
Richard Saulkner, head of policy for Education Support Partnership, told The Eye Of Media.Com that his organisation is seeking ” as robust as possible a solution” that includes practical tangible action” to address issues on local levels especially. Symptoms like insomnia, tearfulness, and high stress, are among those that result from the mental health issues affecting many teachers in Britain.
”At least 30% of the workforce have experienced symptoms connected to poor well being, he said. We work with school leaderships to have a preventative impact on teachers mental health. Poor behaviour of pupils, work load , and the pressure to meet new standards have all been contributing factors to the mental health of teachers, Saulkner said. A lot of structural issues including decisions from government policy impacting on senior leadership, including budget constraints have all played their part in affecting teacher’s mental health”, he said.
BURDENS
Teaching is a valuable profession with increasing burdens that calls for a multi dimensional approach to address the issue of mental health. Pupils need to be made aware of the effect their behaviour can have on teachers and their education. The British government has a plan to include mental health in the teaching curriculum in 2022, but school heads must take it upon themselves to enlighten pupils about mental health and its symptoms, as well as the causal elements of mental health. Many times, the poor mental health of pupils itself can heavily impact teachers and other students who do not have a pre-existing mental health problem.
The need for an enhanced awareness and expert training in this sphere of understanding is more urgent that ever. It is also imperative for parents to be well trained in mental health awareness, and The Eye Of Media.Com will be calling on schools to hold monthly or quarterly educational meetings with parents to make them more cognizant about mental health problems.
Parents need to be more introspective to ensure they address any mental health issues they themselves may have, so it does not affect their children. Affected children can inadvertently display mental health problems in a way that spirals out of control and makes the classroom none conducive to effective learning and educational development. We all have a duty to help address this malady in society for the benefit of all.