
Education Worker Toolkit
Like all Canadians, education workers and teachers experience mental health challenges. As part of a larger study of Canadian professional workers, 1146 education workers completed a survey to explore their experiences with mental health, leaves of absence, and return to work between November 2020 and May 2021.

Click below for the education report

A high number of education workers in our study, over 50%, reported having had a mental health issue at some point during their careers, with female teachers reporting high rates.
53 education workers were interviewed about their experiences. Themes such as increased workload, digital stress, the impact of leadership, social isolation and feeling disconnected were mentioned most often.


Our research team utilized survey data and interview stories to curate a list of resources to help improve education worker mental health with a focus on system, organization and team level resources.
This app aims to help teachers take care of themselves and feel stronger when it comes to navigating mental health. This can be achieved through community and providing services to connect, heal, and learn.
Well at Work provides magazine articles, blogs and more about healthy workplaces in K-12 education.

What Interviewee’s are Saying:
“Nobody quits a job. They Quit a Manager”
“My interactions with health and wellness have left me feeling frustrated and feeling like I’m a number and not a person”
Mental Health First Aid Course
Mental health first aid is the help provided to a person developing a mental health problem, experiences a mental health crisis, or a worsening of their mental health. It can help increase awareness and confidence while decreasing stigma.
Workplace Strategies for Mental Health
Accommodation strategies for employees with mental health issues who are at work or returning to work.
Workplace Wellness Playbook
The Workplace Wellness Playbook is intended to support and inform school authority leaders in collaborative conversations, resulting in the development of a school authority workplace wellness plan.
Professional Induction Program for New Teachers (PIPNPE)
NTIP is the second job-embedded step along a continuum of professional learning for new teachers, building on and complementing initial teacher education programs. It provides professional support to help new teachers develop the requiste skills and knowledge to be effective teachers in Ontario.
A Conversation on Pan-Canadian Teacher Mental Health
A discussion of the Canadian Teachers’ Federation latest pandemic research report “But at what cost?” Teacher mental health during COVID-19
Mind Beacon
MindBeacon is changing mental health care by making support available to every Canadian. Services include guided CBT programs, video or phone sessions with a therapist and in-person therapy appointments.
Guarding Minds at Work
Guarding Minds is a free online set of resources designed to assess and address psychological health and safety in your workplace. It is intended to be administered by one of your own employees.
Well at Work K-12 Leadership Course
This course with modules delivered by Canadian school district leaders and subject matter experts, this course prepares education leaders to undertake a systemic approach aimed at sustainably improving employee wellbeing which contributes to a more positive school environment for students.
Focus on Administrator Wellbeing
This article challenges readers to rethink administrative work that does not have student learning at its core. Workload volume is the highest source of stress, so action to reduce and change this is urgently needed.
Leading Mentally Healthy Schools
This document provides an overview of key information and resources helpful to administrators in fostering mentally healthy school environments for students and staff.
Beyond the Binder: Towards More Systemic and Sustainable Approaches to Mental Health and Wellbeing in K-12 Education (Canada)
Based on a review of evidence, and emerging practices in Canada and internationally, this document presents seven recommended actions and next steps. It outlines why and how K-12 system leaders and their partners must move beyond one-off interventions, programs, and professional development towards an approach where mental health and wellbeing is integrated in the core mandate of public education. (Recommended Actions and Next Steps pp. 18- 27).
Administrator Sabbatical
Principals can apply for a 10 week paid leave to undertake professional learning, reflection and rejuvenation. The purpose is to improve overall retention rates of experienced, effective principals and enhance their enthusiasm for school leadership.
Mental Health in Action for School Leaders
This course is designed to provide school leaders with basic knowledge and information related to mental health, strategies to enhance student mental health, and everyday practices that can be used in the school and classroom.
LEARN Mental Health
This online modular resource for educators can be used as a self-guided course or in individual modules by those wishing to develop their mental health literacy.
New Teacher Induction Program (NTIP)
NTIP is the second job-embedded step along a continuum of professional learning for new teachers, building on and complementing initial teacher education programs. It provides professional support to help new teachers develop the requiste skills and knowledge to be effective teachers in Ontario.
Systemic Support for Teacher Mental Health
This podcast addresses the long standing and often overlooked state of teacher mental health in the U.S. Guest speaker Dr. Kris Scardamalia, associate professor from the National Center for School Mental Health at the University of Maryland shares her thoughts.
Mind the Teacher
A five-episode podcast devoted to understanding and addressing the challenges posed by poor mental health in schools, particularly among teachers.
Well at Work Podcast
Explore what’s trending in Canadian workplace wellbeing through this podcast series featuring expert opinion and analysis.
The Podclass: Conversations on School Health
The podcast features Positive Teacher Well-Being with Dana Fulwiler. The Podclass is an educational podcast developed by Ever Active Schools. The first series is a collaboration with the Werkland School of Education that looks at maximizing the health and well-being of students and teachers.
Feeling Better Now
Feeling Better Now is a mental technology that offers timely, evidence-based, information to Canadians so they can gain agency in their mental health journey. Ontario Teachers Insurance Plan members have access to this resource.
Here to Help
Screening self-tests are tools that help you look at your mental health or wellness. These tests look for signs or symptoms that can show up in some mental illnesses. They can also help you look at patterns of feelings or patterns of substance use.
This Toolkit explores how to implement the Canadian Healthy School Standards, with a specific focus on the actions needed at a school system leadership level. It provides a pathway to follow in the form of six interconnected checklists, along with connections to additional resources.