The years spent in school are full of fond memories, and many of them are about our teachers. Whether it was the strict math teacher who pushed us to excel or the cheerful sports coach who always knew how to inject our spirits with some competition, every teacher had something that made us want to learn from them.
The world over, teachers are akin to guiding lights of young lives. Beyond teaching academics, they also impart life skills and values that stay with us long after we leave the classroom. But have you ever stopped to consider the challenges they face and the toll their demanding jobs take on them?
According to a recent survey conducted by the RAND Corporation, an American nonprofit institution, principals and educators are increasingly experiencing significant stress and burnout. The survey revealed that teachers and principals are more stressed when compared to other working adults. Signs that a teacher might be struggling with mental health issues include chronic fatigue, irritability and withdrawal from colleagues and students. This fairly common yet stark observation highlights the need to address mental health concerns within the teaching profession. The mental wellbeing of teachers not just benefit them but countless future generations that depend on their guidance.
Teachers’ Day, celebrated on September 5th, marks the birthday of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, a scholar, teacher and the second President of India. It is a special occasion to recognise the hard work and dedication of teachers who play an important role in shaping our lives. On this special day, join us as we explore certain reasons why mental health for teachers is crucial for a healthy and able society.
You must have noticed how your favourite teacher used to walk into the classroom with a smile, ready with answers and prepared for each lesson. But behind that calm exterior is a lot of hard work. Teachers spend hours preparing for lessons, grading assignments and managing their classrooms on a daily basis. They repeat this process day in and day out, which can be become stressful for many.
It may seem like child’s play, but teaching is a demanding job. Teachers have to plan their lessons carefully, sometimes weeks in advance, keep track of each student’s progress and deal with administrative tasks as well. This pressure can get to them, leading to high levels of stress. And when teachers are stressed, it can affect how well they teach and interact with their students, making it harder for them to create a positive and effective learning environment.
According to Archita Reddy, a psychologist based in Bangalore, mental wellbeing of a teacher is extremely important when working with students of all ages, from toddlers to older students. When teachers carry the weight of personal issues or home-related stress into their teaching environment, it can negatively impact their ability to manage and engage with their students effectively.
Work-life balance is crucial for everyone, and that includes teachers. It means having time to enjoy life outside of work, which helps people stay happy and healthy. For teachers, balancing work and personal life can be especially challenging. They often become so absorbed in their various tasks—preparing lessons, grading exams and managing students and classrooms that they tend to lose sight of their personal time. This constant focus on work can lead to stress and burnout in many.
Teachers need to pay attention to their work-life balance just as much as anyone else. When they manage their stress and set aside time for themselves, they can separate their job from their personal life. By learning to segregate work and personal time, they can improve their overall wellbeing.
Fatigue is no good for anyone. When we’re overworked and exhausted, it’s impossible to perform at our best. This is especially true for teachers. When they’re doing well mentally, they are more effective in the classroom. However, stress and burnout can make it difficult for teachers to engage their students and deliver lessons well.
This is why having the support and resources to manage their mental health is important. When they have access to such facilities, teachers create a more positive and productive learning environment for students.
Ensuring teachers are well-supported means they can teach better and provide a better experience for their students.
Different professions have different expectations from a worker. While a communications executive can create a presentation in two hours and present it in one hour, a chef might take three hours to only prep for the dish he is set to make. With teachers, the hours are differently demanding with something expected of them at all times. Multi-tasking, resolving conflict between young children, dealing with parental concerns and focussing on each student separately, is all part of a day’s work. So, fatigue, stress and anxiety can creep in very easily if teachers do not find the support or build resilience towards their job.
Inversely, when teachers are mentally healthy, they are able to steadily build resilience—which is crucial for handling the daily demands of their job. So, it is important for teachers to build strong bonds within the school to get support during any setback or stressful situation. They can also practise mindfulness and build on their self-esteem in order to develop the resilience needed in their highly demanding job.
A teacher’s mental health directly impacts their students. When teachers are stressed, it can affect their interaction with students and can lead to an overall environment that’s less supportive or accessible.
Teachers who acknowledge their stress levels and try to take care of their mental wellbeing, are better equipped to support their students’ emotional and academic needs as well. By prioritising the mental health of their teachers, schools too can create a more nurturing environment that benefits both teachers and students.
Mental health plays a significant role in job satisfaction for an individual. Teachers who feel supported and have access to resources for managing stress are more likely to find their work fulfilling. Further, increased job satisfaction can reduce turnover rates and help retain experienced educators, which contributes to a stabler and more effective educational environment for students.
Here, Reddy highlights the importance of Flow, a concept in positive psychology—in it, we are fully immersed in an activity by giving it our all. She advises teachers to follow this while also practising self-care. By engaging in activities they enjoy, seeking support from colleagues and mentors and practicing mindfulness techniques such as meditation and deep breathing, teachers can manage their daily stress and maintain a positive outlook.
For schools, supporting teachers’ mental health is crucial, not just for their wellbeing but that of their students as well. By prioritising the mental health of our educators, we can help them thrive and also create a better learning environment for our future leaders.
Mental health is important for teachers because it impacts their ability to perform effectively in the classroom with students.
Signs that a teacher might be struggling with mental health issues include chronic fatigue, irritability and withdrawal from colleagues and students.
Schools can support teachers’ mental health by providing counselling and creating a culture of support where teachers can manage their mental health more effectively.
Teachers can improve their mental health by practicing self-care, such as engaging in hobbies, exercising regularly and ensuring they get enough sleep. They should seek support from friends or mental health professionals to improve their mental health.
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