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.
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”
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.
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.
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.
Teachers of Tomorrow Project
This iniative proposes an upstream approach to addressing student well-being though the issue of teacher preparedness. Key areas of focus include the physical environments of faculty, implementing healthy school policies and teacher and learning strategies. Knowledge exchange can be found at cshhub.com
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.
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.
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
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.
BounceBack
BounceBack is a free skill-building program managed by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA). It is designed to help adults manage low mood, mild to moderate depression and anxiety, stress or worry.
The Working Mind
Brought to you by the Mental Health Commission of Canada, The Working Mind is an evidence-based program designed to promote mental health and reduce the stigma around mental illness in the workplace.
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.