THE number of teachers suffering with their mental health is “extremely worrying”, the Education Secretary has said.
A survey by teachers’ union NASUWT found 64% of Scots teachers said their mental health had suffered because of their work in the last year.
More than three-quarters also said their workplace stress had increased over the last 12 months.
Responding to the findings, John Swinney, pictured, said “no teacher should feel like their job adversely affects their mental health”.
“Local authorities as employers have a duty of care for all of their staff, including teachers,” he added.
“The Scottish Government, along with local authorities, is already taking action to address conditions that affect well-being by putting in additional support for teachers to tackle workload issues and improve recruitment and retention rates.”
He added the Scottish Government was “tackling unnecessary tasks and work that teachers are involved in.”
The study shows 75% of teachers were affected by anxiety in the last 12 months, with 83% suffering sleeping problems.
Just over one-fifth (21%) said they are drinking more alcohol, almost one in 10 (9%) has seen their relationship break down and 2% have self-harmed.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here