Big rise in teachers’ calls to helpline

Fears over mental health in classroom

EDUCATION: Mental health problems in the classroom have been laid bare as more teachers are seeking professional help due to mounting stress and pressure.

A charity for education staff has reported a 38 per cent increase in calls from teachers in Yorkshire to a support helpline over the past year.

MENTAL HEALTH problems in the classroom have been laid bare as more teachers are seeking professional help while pupils are left crying and struggling to concentrate due to mounting stress and pressure.

A national health and wellbeing charity for education staff has reported a 38 per cent increase in calls from teachers in Yorkshire to an emotional support helpline over the past 12 months.

Between April 2017 and March 2018, a total of 8,668 cases were managed through the Education Support Partnership’s confidential line.

The number who disclosed their occupation as a teacher from Yorkshire increased by 38.4 per cent compared to the previous year.

The report identities that workplace stress followed by work performance issues were the two most common reasons for education staff calling.

There were also increases in cases relating to conflict at work – a rise of 16 per cent – and bullying or harassment – a rise of 18 per cent – compared to the previous year.

The majority of cases came from staff in primary schools, the study found, and the number of cases for education staff under the age of 30 has increased by 65 per cent.

Julian Stanley, CEO at Education Support Partnership, said: “The majority of those accessing our support are doing so at a late stage; once they have reached a crisis level. This can and should be avoided.

“School leaders, governors, teachers and support staff themselves must work to end the continuing stigma that exists about seeking support at the earliest possible sign of poor mental health and wellbeing. It is not easy for teachers to do this unless the environment they work in is supportive and understanding.

“I would strongly encourage all education staff in Yorkshire to access the support that is available when this occurs, as this provides the best chance of addressing the symptoms before they turn into something more serious.”

Meanwhile, a separate study suggests that testing and exams, as well as family issues and pressure to perform well in class, are having an impact on mental health issues among students.

Around two-thirds of education staff have seen significant increases in the amount of support their school or college has to provide to youngsters with mental health issues, according to a survey conducted by the National Education Union (NEU).

It found that many school workers are seeing pupils that are exhibiting signs of mental health problems, such as anxiety, lack of motivation and even self-harm or suicidal feelings.

Overall, a third of the more than 700 members polled said their school or college is having to provide significantly more support to pupils with mental health issues.

Asked what was having an impact or contributing to the issues among pupils, the most common answer was testing and exams – chosen by 81.8 per cent.

I would encourage all education staff to access the support. Julian Stanley, CEO at Education Support Partnership.