Teaching One of the Most Stressful Occupations
According to a new survey by teacher’s union, NASUWT, a number of teachers suffering from burnout, stress and depression have thought about committing suicide after failing to get support from their school administration and management.
The survey, conducted on a number of schoolteachers and managers, disclosed that a number of teachers are facing stress related problems such as scarcity of sleep, depression, eating problems as well as heart ailments.
One of the main reasons for teachers feeling lonely is that their mental health problems are not properly taken care of. The stigma associated with these mental troubles added with the cost of support increases the feeling of isolation. There are a number of reasons that can cause stress, including an uncooperative school management, strict schedules and difficult students.
NASUWT came out with the report prior to the debate on the motion ‘Workplace Stress and Teacher Wellbeing at the union’s annual conference in
The General Secretary of the NASUWT, Chris Keates, said this report would bring the issues of mental health to the limelight. Teaching has been known as one of the most stressful professions but deliverance of a good outcome for the students requires a healthy workforce. This research carried out by NASUWT points out the urgency for access to support, counselling and proper intervention for a healthy workforce. The research also brings forth the need for sorting out the basic problem of stress in schools, including the rising accountability regime that is taking a toll on the well-being of teachers as well as other staff.
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