The mental wellbeing of school staff in the UK has never been as important. The teaching profession faces significant retention and recruitment challenges. In 2023-24, 37,143 teachers left the profession for reasons other than retirement, and 30% left in their first 5 years. 

Burnout 

When teachers are overwhelmed, overworked and stressed, their mental health suffers. Some teachers develop burnout, a condition which the World Health Organisation describes as: 

“…a syndrome conceptualised as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It is characterised by three dimensions: 

● feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion; 

● increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job; and 

● reduced professional efficacy. 

“Burnout refers specifically to phenomena in the occupational context and should not be applied to describe experiences in other areas of life.” 

(11th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). 

Improving teachers’ mental health is not only about individual wellbeing – it is crucial that whole-school strategies are developed to build an integrated culture of organisational health in which all members of its community are supported, including the headteacher and senior leaders. 

Staff Mental Health 

Research shows that staff mental health directly impacts student achievement, school climate, and staff retention (Glazzard and Rose, 2019). When staff feel supported and equipped to handle stress, they are better able to perform their roles effectively. However, many teachers face challenges such as workload pressures, emotional demands, and limited access to mental health resources. 

Teach Well Toolkit’s Commitment 

Teach Well Toolkit is dedicated to supporting schools to prioritise mental health and create healthier working environments. 

We believe that mental health support should be accessible, practical, and tailored to the needs of school staff and pupils. Our comprehensive services are designed to foster resilience, reduce stress, and promote a positive mental health school culture. 

A Snapshot Of Some Of Our Services 

● Professional Development Workshops: Customised interactive sessions for staff to build awareness, reduce stress, and develop effective coping strategies. 

● Mental Health Training Packages: Our Student Wellbeing Ambassador course, for example, trains pupils to support their peers if they are struggling. 

● First Aid for Mental Health training: Become a First Aider for Mental Health in your school. You can then become a First Aid Instructor and deliver courses yourself, earning extra income for yourself or your school. 

● Mental Health Lead Training: Equipping a teacher or Teaching Assistant to lead on mental health in their school. 

● Annual School Membership: Access over 14 services for a fraction of the cost of purchasing them individually. 

Why Choose Teach Well Toolkit? 

● Expertise: We have over 55 years combined teaching experience, including headship and senior leadership, and 60 years of delivering and promoting mental health in schools. 

● Lived Experience: We have personal experience of teaching while suffering from mental ill-health. 

● Proven Impact: Schools accessing our services report improved staff morale, reduced burnout, and a more positive school climate. 

Join The Movement Towards Wellness 

Investing in staff and pupil mental health is not only a moral obligation – it is an essential strategy for sustainable pupil success. By working in partnership with Teach Well Toolkit (www.teachwelltoolkit.com), you can empower staff to thrive both professionally and personally. 

Reference 

Glazzard, J and Rose, A (2019) The Impact of Teacher Well-Being and Mental Health on Pupil Progress in Primary Schools. Journal of Public Mental Health. ISSN 1746-5729 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JPMH-02-2019-0023