I designed a survey that takes a look into teacher mental health- and more so into seeing how teachers look at it, ways they try to balance work and home life. Asking questions about stigma, teacher burnout, and ways they could see the system improving, I hoped to see how the teachers on the front lines view mental health and how they try and handle their own. These results are taken from about 28 participants.
1. How long have you been teaching? Pre-service teachers through those teaching for 40 years. 39% were pre-service, 29% were within their first 5 years of teaching, and the rest between 6-20+ years.
2. Have you ever experienced "teacher burnout?" In what ways did it present itself? How did you try to work through it? Responses indicated that most teachers, from pre-service to those well established in their careers, experience some level or form of teacher burnout. It presented itself in different ways, such as: - "I feel it as less of a major crashing point, but more of a day to day, I felt like, after a day of teaching and planning, I would get home at the end of the day and have no motivation to do the extra things like marking, further planning and prepping for the next day." -"compassion fatigue and emotional exhaustion; inability to sleep at night; trouble keeping 'work' separate from 'home', more emotionally high strung (easily crying from stress or minor issues, etc.) " - " I just couldn’t face going into the school. I had to take stress leave. " -"Some days I feel burnt out. I am still very new, in my first year but it can be tough. I notice it through lack of sleep, irritation at school, and sometimes I am hungrier than usual. With irritation I just have a shorter fuze when i feel burnt out. " -" Yes, I can be quite a perfectionist which can sometimes cause anxiety and I’m easily irritable when I’m experiencing teacher burnout. I also was constantly tired and had trouble sleeping during my practicum" - "Yes! It comes very very easily as a first year teacher. It presents itself in many ways, physical exhaustion, mental exhaustion, sleep deprivation, and emotional distress. This is why first year teachers get sick so often, their body is overworked and needs to rest." The second part of the question looked at ways that teachers found helps them work through the moments they face some level of burnout: - "To combat this I would try to take breaks after school, take a long walk which is where I would do most of my reflecting. I am currently trying to complete my work at school so I do not have to take my work home as I do want to relax when I get there." - "Worked through it by talking to my TA, my mama, and peers; tried to schedule certain times at night where I stopped thinking about school, use of essential oils for relaxation and sleep" - "A lot of snacks, mindless phone games, Netflix, other hobbies. " - "I just trudged through, refusing to give up or quit. " - "It was important for me to take a step back and a break from the work (although this often didn’t happen until I was done an assignment or the task). As well as scheduling in time to do an activity I like. " - "I often try and create a list and chunk things to make it less stressful in attempt to motivate myself to get back on track. " - " I make sure to get most work done at the school. Taking my home time as relaxation time. I work to eat healthy and hope it keeps me energized. And going to bed early has really help. Also asking for help when its needed. " - "I have been lucky to find an amazing therapist. She has taught me how to work through different situations and scenarios. I STRONGLY recommend seeking a great talk therapist when you get your first contract. Important to be able to unload on a neutral ear that can help you through hard times. " - "I found talking to friends helped encourage me and build me up again when I was too critical on myself. -Setting limits is really important. Some teachers set a time where they are done work by 5pm or they take weekends as break time. Finding a limit that works for you and helps you have a balanced life/time for yourself is important."
3. How do you view mental health in the classroom? Responses focused on the importance of having knowledge about mental health- because not only does it affect teachers, but their students. By having teachers model positive mental health strategies, their students can hopefully learn that it is more prevalent then it may seem- helping them to also go out and reach out for help. -"Mental health is incredibly important as healthy teachers can help grow healthy children. I believe in being very open with my students ("hey guys, I'm really tired today too. Let's get through this work together okay?") because I think it is important for them to know that we struggle too and that you shouldn't be afraid to admit that to anyone." - "Everyone, teachers and students both, can experience mental health issues and as a teacher I need to be supportive of my students and my colleagues. I do meditation in my classroom everyday with my students and we talk about how we are important." - "It is important for everyone, including myself, to have a stable mental health. If you try to pour from an empty pot then no one benefits." - "For students, we pay very close attention to it and provide all sorts of resources. The way schools are structured now, it’s impossible for teachers to take care of themselves during the school day ESPECIALLY in elementary school where the students need you much more."
4. Does the stigma around mental health stop you from talking about it or getting help? Out of 28 responses: - 8.7% Strongly Agreed - 26.09 % Agreed - 30.43% Disagreed - 34.78% Strongly Disagreed
5. How can teachers best deal with the anxieties and stresses that come with the profession? Everyone has their own way to help them work through their stresses. Many made note of the importance of creating time for yourself in your busy schedules and to not cancel on yourself. Even if it is just 20 minutes, it is important to take the time to unwind and care for yourself, mentally and physically. some suggestions include: exercise, taking advantage of your off days, leave school at school, help each other, and talking with family, friends, and professionals. - "I think that they should take time to themselves, and not be afraid to make ourselves the priority. If we are not effective because we are experiencing problems of our own, we are not going to be effective for our students needs." - "Do not overload yourself. Use your off days to be 'off'. Be aware of your personal wellness always." - "Seek professional help. Administration of schools need to be accepting and open that this is a realize and support teachers who are struggling." - "Learn to say no, understand your limits, give yourself as much prep time as possible, schedule time for marking and schedule down time for yourself" - "I think by helping one another out! It’s not a competition and I think it’s important to continue to collaborate and support your fellow teachers and also encourage and remind them to take time for themselves. You could even do that with fellow staff to create a positive work environment. As well I think teachers need to remember to take time for themselves" - "Taking a step back and realizing that our lives are just as important as our students. You have to take care of yourself first, before you are able to take care of others." - "Exercise! I know that at the end of the day, you're exhausted and can't handle the thought of doing anything except vegging out in from of Netflix but if you commit to something as simple as walking for 30 minutes every day, it will really help with stress. I also think teacher's need to stop glorifying being stressed out. There's a stigma about "lazy teachers" who don't get there marking done right away, who arrive and leave exactly 15 minutes before and after school, or who don't volunteer for all events. People who become teacher's tend to be overachiever's in the first place and they out a lot of pressure on themselves to do it all."
6. Are there enough support systems in place to help teachers struggling with anxiety, depression, excess stress, and other mental health issues? Are there any you think should be available but are not? Overall, the responses explained that there are more supports now than when many started, but that it can still be improved. More support in schools for both students and teachers will help both groups in finding success within school. It will take a lot of work to work on some of the things suggested, but if all teachers help each other and the system then Alberta's teachers are already well on their way. - No, but we're definitely getting better; just more awareness and less stigma around the issue would help but that will take time. Society is definitely on it's way! -No!! We need more support in the classrooms with children who are struggling - No. Teachers tend to isolate themselves. However they are adults and can't be forced. I think that school districts or teachers unions should promote the issues directed at teachers. - I'm not sure. I know there are some opportunities within health benefits and there are occasionally PD days that touch on it. I've never really sought out the information. - I think the services are adequate, but the structure needs to change. Smaller class sizes, more time away from instruction, and professional development times would contribute to a higher degree of teacher health. - No. As in a lot of educational practices (inclusion, increasing class size, lower standards on students, increased workload for teachers) many districts have adopted what seems to be a "suck it up and handle it" philosophy. - No. I think there is still the stigma associated with mental health that teachers don’t even realize they have - for example, feeling guilty when you take a sick day, or a personal day. There should be mental health personal days provided, and it should be talked about more openly. My principal attempts to talk about it, but I think the stigma runs so deep that teachers feel they have to be strong all the time. - "Yes and no. Within the school, no. I feel you are stigmatized if you are struggling mentally and the demands of the classroom now - you can’t afford to be lacking. Resources & health care, yes. Teachers have an excellent extended health benefits package where there is very sufficient funds for therapy, self care, massages, chiropractic etc. - "Teaching benefits are amazing for stuff like this and the ATA has workshops, PD days, and supports for teachers for this."
7. What are some ways that you try to balance out work, school related activities, and home? - "I try to take enough time to myself and do non-school related things like hanging out with a friend, going for walks and preparing healthy food. All of these things are simple and often overlooked, but take a lot of time, but I know my life is better because of it." - "I don't bring homework home. Sometimes it means staying later but home is for home. Extra-curricular should be a joint parent school activity. Once a month, I had a personal day... massage, reading, sleeping." - "I plan ahead. I don’t allow myself to work on Saturdays. I make my plans for the week by Sunday so I don’t have to worry about planning. I prep everything for the week Monday after school. I schedule dates with my significant other. I hire a cleaning lady to clean my house so I have time for my friends." - "I went for years and never took a sick day because I wasn't feeling physically sick. Over the last few years If I needed a day for just a break I've taken it. There's extra work when you have to plan for a sub but a day of rest can be a sanity saver at times. " - "Set specific hours to be at school and then leave when the time is up. Also set away time to do marking whatever time of the day is better for you and your family. I like going in early mornings as I find I'm more productive and there are less distractions so more work is accomplished " - "Take one evening a week off. Make plans to socialize with friends at least once a week. Spend some quiet time alone without distractions "
8. What do you wish you knew about stress and mental health as a beginning teacher? While practicums give a great window into teaching and creates a good foundation, it is different than when you get your first real job. Often, new teachers get overwhelmed with all the things that being a teacher brings- and they keep it to themselves and, for some reason or another, do not reach out for help for support. When looking back at that first year many teachers wished they knew that it's not just them- that even veteran teachers feel that way, it takes time to learn all the ins and outs of being a teacher, what are the signs of mental exhaustion and stress, and be okay with your mistakes; that it is okay to make them as long as you continue to learn from them. - "Just where my support systems are for myself and where I can get help for a student who is distressed " - Be prepared. It will come. Pace yourself. - I wish it was addressed and talked about. I wish the stigma didn’t exist. I wish I knew other teachers struggled. I wish there was some sort of allowance to take a mental health day and not have to just to pretend to be sick with a cold or flu. - "What do beginning teacher attrition rates look like in other countries? " - "People don't always see the signs. New teachers spend a lot of time after school prepping or, in some cases, learning the material they have to teach the next day if it's not within their area of expertise. They often put their stresses down to "Oh, I'm just tired from the long days." It could be more than that. Over the past 40 years I've seen more than one new teacher throw in the towel after a year or two. " - "What readily available resources are in every school district, and tools to help better organize to relieve stress" - "What is the best way to broach mental health topics in school with staff? While I am a new teacher and feel fine talking about it, there are lots of more experienced teachers who refuse to discuss it due to past stigmas." - "I don’t think you can be a teacher without times of stress and mental health issues. It’s hard!!! It’s impossible to be all the things to all the people. It’s impossible to be the best at everything. Be comfortable in your own skin. Know that being a teacher is a journey, not a destination. Be mindful of your successes and not your failures."
IN SUMMARY: Overall, teaching is a complicated profession. It is our job to help our students become successful in their studies, but also as people. By opening up the discussion about mental health in the school and modeling positive behaviours, we can help our students know that they are not alone in their struggles. The discussion has come a long way from where it started, but it still has quite a bit to go. By having the resources available- and having teachers know what they are, having open discussions, and the attempt to address the stigma surrounding it, teachers can better prepare themselves for the inevitable stress and anxieties that come with the job.