posted by Morning Star in Features

   Too many teachers suffer excessive stress, causing many to now be
   considering leaving the profession, writes CHRIS KEATES
     __________________________________________________________________
--
   Twenty-two per cent of teachers have increased their use of alcohol, 21
   per cent have increased their use of caffeine and 5 per cent have
   increased their use of tobacco to help them manage work-related stress.
   As one teacher said: “Extreme excessive workload resulted in me having
   a breakdown. I was off work for six months. I am now on maternity
--
   and am considering leaving teaching. It is not a job that you can do
   with a young family.”
   Another related the devastating impact work-related stress has had on
   her health, saying: “I am now taking anti-depressants. I feel
   undervalued. Stress levels have increased which has impacted upon my
   interaction with students and the quality of my teaching. I am
   seriously considering leaving the profession.”
--
   to fail to seriously to address these problems, problems spawned by its
   policies, is scandalous.
   Stress is one of key contributors to the current teacher supply crisis.
   It is driving talented teachers out of the profession, no longer able
   to cope with the excessive demands placed upon them.
--
   The wellbeing of the teaching workforce has a direct impact on the
   quality of educational provision.
   High-quality education cannot be delivered by worn-out, stressed and
   anxious teachers.
   The government and employers cannot claim to be committed to raising
--
   Yet instead of offering support, in far too many cases employers
   introduce punitive and callous sickness absence policies which actually
   exacerbate the stress and anxiety which teachers are experiencing and
   generate a culture of shame and silence around mental health in the
   workplace.