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.

 

Please watch our introductory video to help guide you through the resource options available.

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”

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).

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English, Educator, Teaching, Program, Policy, ON, Free, HPW Toolkit Ryann Russ English, Educator, Teaching, Program, Policy, ON, Free, HPW Toolkit Ryann Russ

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Elephant in the Room Anti-Stigma Campaign

Elephant in the Room is a national anti-stigma campaign designed to eliminate the stigma associated with mental illess. When you display your blue elephant, you show that you care about the wellness of others and demonstrate that this is a safe place to talk about mental illness, without fear of being viewed differently.

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Heartcare Planning for Educational Workers

Heartcare Planning emerged as a key finding from the Compassion Fatigue, Burnout, and Emotional Labour in Educational Workers research study. Create a HEARTcare plan to figure out how you respond to occupational stress and distress, ways to identify crisis and trauma work, and investigate available interventions to restore or maintain your emotional and mental health.

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Change Works Interactive

Kevin Waldbillig is a Registered Psychotherapist and former educator who understands the challenges teachers face. He provides personal counselling and psychotherapy for those seeking treatment for stress management, depression, anxiety grief and much more. Continuous professional development and lifelong learning are foundational elements of his journey.

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