Teachers take half a million days off due to mental illness

SCOTTISH teachers have taken almost 500,000 days off after being diagnosed with stress, anxiety, depression and other mental health illnesses in the past three years.

Concerns have been raised over a growing number of primary, high school and head teachers being forced to take time off to seek help for their mental health.

In the past three years, 477,000 sick days have been taken by teachers – including nursery and support staff – due to illnesses such as depression and anxiety. And figures obtained under Freedom of Information legislation show an increasing number of teachers taking time off.

In the past academic year, 158,639 days were taken by those suffering from mental health illnesses, compared to 150,634 in 2014-15.

The year before this, 2013-14, a total of 139,486 sick days were taken.

This year, 2016-17, 28,246 days have already been taken despite the information being released less than halfway through the year.

Fears were raised by the Scottish Liberal Democrats who have warned that heavy workloads and increased demands on teachers are impacting on their health. They called on the Scottish Government to reduce the burden on teachers.

The party’s health spokesman, Alex Cole-Hamilton, said: ‘The fact teachers have taken nearly half a million days off work due to mental ill-health paints a very worrying picture of a workforce that is under severe strain.

‘On average, teachers in Fife took six-and-a-half days in 201516. The average teacher in Renfrewshire took a whole working week off due to stress, anxiety, depression or other such condi- tions. The fact that numbers are rising year-on-year shows they are not receiving the right support.

‘It raises questions about the Scottish Government’s education and mental health policies. We know mental health treatment isn’t available when people need it. Tens of thousands of people have waited longer than 18 weeks for the help they need.’

Teachers in Fife took the most time off for mental health-related illnesses, with 31,314 days last year, followed by North Lanarkshire, where 15,705 sick days were taken. In Glasgow, teachers took 14,390 days off on mental health grounds, while in Renfrewshire, 9,011 days were taken.

No teachers in Angus took time off for mental health, while in Midlothian 680 sick days were taken and in Orkney a total of 717 days.

The figures have been released by councils following concerns over teachers’ workloads.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘We work closely with unions and local authorities to address issues facing teachers and ensure they are properly supported. We recognise the crucial role mental health plays.

‘It’s why we are the first Scottish Government to have a ministerial post dedicated to mental health and why we are investing an additional £150million to boost support for areas which are priorities for us, including improving access to services and increasing support for early intervention and prevention.’

‘Not receiving the right support’