BEING MINDFUL OF YOUR Mental health

With so much of your time and e orts focused on supporting the young people you teach, it can be hard to take a step back and consider how the pressures of your work, and of everyday life, are a ecting your stress levels and overall mental health.

Health Vs Wellbeing

A key component in processing how you feel, finding coping mechanisms and, when necessary, seeking support, is understanding whether you are experiencing a mental health problem or your overall mental wellbeing is a ected. The two terms are often used inter-changeably, but they have di erent meanings.

Your mental wellbeing comes from your sense of self and your ability to live how you would like to, while mental health is defined by specific signs and symptoms that cause significant emotional distress. The persistent presence of these symptoms could then constitute a mental health problem.

Having long periods of low mental wellbeing could mean you are more likely to develop a mental health problem, while if you already have a mental health problem, you’re more likely to have periods of low mental wellbeing. The two are intrinsically linked, and looking after one benefits the other.

Stress

As a teacher, you are responsible for shaping the minds of the future, but with that power comes a lot of pressure, and it is normal to feel concerned or stressed from time to time. When this stress becomes a weekly or daily occurrence, it is important to address it. In the Teacher Wellbeing Survey 2022, union NASUWT found that workload remains the main factor contributing to work-related stress for teachers, with 90 per cent of respondents having experienced more work-related stress in the last 12 months. This increase in stress had a concerning impact on teachers lives, with respondents citing an increase in anxiousness, a loss of sleep, increased use of alcohol and prescription drugs, and the breakdown of relationships.

It is essential to seek support before stress reaches this level, or if it already has. Without support, this could lead to burnout or presenteeism, the act of continuing to work while sick without being able to perform at your best. Mental health charities like Mind (www.mind.org.uk), the Mental Health Foundation (www.mentalhealth.org. uk) and Mental Health At Work (www. mentalhealthatwork.org.uk) can all provide information and links to support.

If you are concerned about your mental health or work-related stress, call the Education Support Helpline available 24 hours a day on 08000 562 561 or talk to the Samaritans (www.samaritans.org) on 116 123.