Teachers report increased mental health problems
Association of Teachers and Lecturers 14/04/14 -
More than half (55 per cent) of teachers say work pressures are affecting their mental health and 38 per cent have seen an increase in mental health problems among colleagues in the past two years, a survey by the teachers and lecturers union ATL shows. ATL surveyed 925 teaching staff in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Many of those reporting work-related mental health problems said they suffered stress (80 per cent), exhaustion (69 per cent), disturbed sleep patterns (66 per cent), anxiety (57 per cent) and headaches (47 per cent). Almost one in three said it had affected their appetite. ATL says a primary cause is the pressure of Government targets and Ofsted inspections. The survey also showed a reluctance among teachers to disclose mental health problems to employers: 68% of those with a mental health problem did not tell their employer, compared with 38% of those with a physical health problem.
More than half (55 per cent) of teachers say work pressures are affecting their mental health and 38 per cent have seen an increase in mental health problems among colleagues in the past two years, a survey by the teachers and lecturers union ATL shows. ATL surveyed 925 teaching staff in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Many of those reporting work-related mental health problems said they suffered stress (80 per cent), exhaustion (69 per cent), disturbed sleep patterns (66 per cent), anxiety (57 per cent) and headaches (47 per cent). Almost one in three said it had affected their appetite. ATL says a primary cause is the pressure of Government targets and Ofsted inspections. The survey also showed a reluctance among teachers to disclose mental health problems to employers: 68% of those with a mental health problem did not tell their employer, compared with 38% of those with a physical health problem.