Research tells us that a “whole-school approach” to mental health and wellbeing works best.

There have been a limited number of studies looking at school staff wellbeing. 

Here are some of the findings:

• Better teacher wellbeing is associated with better student wellbeing and lower psychological difficulties.
• A better teacher-student relationship is associated with better student wellbeing.
• Teachers with poorer wellbeing may be less able to develop supportive relationships.
• Teachers agreed that their wellbeing affects their ability to teach in the classroom. 
• There are many factors that impact teacher’s wellbeing, not simply workload. Personal life and circumstances also impact wellbeing, for example, bereavement, relationship difficulties, childcare. 
• The strive for perfection impacts some teacher’s wellbeing negatively.
• Being organised and being able to prioritise can have a positive impact on wellbeing.
• More schools are striving to be more open about mental health and wellbeing. 
• Pupils in primary school were attuned to their teacher's mood and could usually pick up when they were stressed, even if teachers tried to hide it.
• Mindfulness techniques have helped manage some individual teachers’ stress levels.  

What can schools do to support teachers’ mental health and wellbeing?  

Culture and ethos 

• Show that all staff are valued for their individual contributions. 
• Foster a culture of openness through an open door policy. 
• Show respect and consideration for others in day to day actions.

Leading on staff wellbeing 

• Leadership that builds trusting relationships across the school is good for staff wellbeing.
• Demonstrate empathy. Know your staff, be aware of the pressures they may be feeling. 
• Senior Leadership Team modelling good wellbeing and mental health behaviour and practice helps promote a culture of openness about mental health and wellbeing. 
• Find out how staff are doing. Conduct a confidential yearly survey. This will give information on what’s going well and what isn’t.
• A staff mental health & wellbeing policy/strategy developed collaboratively allows all staff to contribute and understand what is in place to support them. 
• Ensure clarity and fairness for all staff in policy actions. 
• Be alert, reflective, and responsive to situations that may impact staff wellbeing and mental health. 
• Listen to and validate what staff are saying. 
• Actively challenge stigma around mental health and promote a better understanding of mental health for all. Encourage staff to feel comfortable sharing concerns. 

Actions and strategies for wellbeing 

• Enable staff to take responsibility for their own mental health and wellbeing. 
• Put in place clear communication systems and protocols (e.g. sending emails out of work time). 
• Be clear and sensitive around who staff can talk to about worries and concerns for their own mental health.
• For some staff having someone other than a line manager to talk to about their wellbeing can be helpful
• Operate staff appraisal that identifies positives and supports individual development.
• Consider providing access to counselling and other self-care services. 
• Consider different ways to effectively signpost to external help and support.
• Recognise staff achievements and celebrate success. 
• Look out for each other, notice when colleagues are struggling, support each other.

Training 

• Identifying a staff member with responsibility for staff wellbeing with allocated time for training in the role shows a commitment to whole school wellbeing. 
• Use feedback from confidential whole school reviews to identify whole school training that can support wellbeing. 
• Use staff appraisal to identify targeted training and support.