Why Explicitly Teaching Teachers About Their Own Wellbeing Should Be Prioritised as Much as Student Wellbeing

It has been truly refreshing to see article after article delving into the effects of the current education climate on teachers. At Life Skills Group, we’ve had the privilege of delivering wellbeing training to over 250,000 educators and executive team members. Our professional development programmes focus on the whole person, diving deep into the science and research underpinning best practices for sustainable wellbeing.

Teaching is undoubtedly one of the most demanding professions. Beyond delivering educational content, teachers are expected to exhibit emotional resilience as they support students grappling with increasingly complex challenges. Recent research, including a groundbreaking study by Deakin University, highlights the profound effects of Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) on educators. The findings are sobering: over half of educators report experiencing some level of depression, and a significant number are contemplating leaving the profession due to the emotional toll.

These findings underline an urgent need to prioritise teacher wellbeing—not as an afterthought or a luxury but as a cornerstone of the education system. Wellbeing is a trainable skill, and it must be treated with the same seriousness and investment as student wellbeing initiatives.

The Emotional Toll of Teaching: A Profession Under Pressure

Teachers are increasingly taking on responsibilities that would typically fall to social workers, supporting children dealing with trauma such as domestic violence, neglect, and abuse. The Deakin study found that 39% of teachers frequently experience STS, with another 38% sometimes affected. This exposure has a cumulative impact, with younger educators and those working in rural or special education settings disproportionately affected.

The emotional burden extends beyond the school gates. Many teachers describe the heartache of sending children back to unsafe home environments, perpetuating a cycle of trauma that not only impacts the students but deeply affects the educators who care for them.

Yet, despite these challenges, teachers remain fiercely dedicated to their students. An overwhelming 81% of educators feel proud of their work, even as their commitment often comes at the expense of their own mental health. This paradox highlights a critical truth: teacher wellbeing is indispensable to fostering student wellbeing.

Wellbeing Is Trainable—and Necessary

Wellbeing is far more than the absence of stress or illness. It encompasses physical, mental, emotional, and social health, all of which contribute to happiness and life satisfaction. While many schools offer a range of initiatives to promote staff wellbeing, such as coffee carts, staff breakfasts or morning teas, and meeting-free weeks, the deeper, systemic causes of stress and burnout must be addressed.

Wellbeing, however, is not something that happens by chance. It must be explicitly taught. Just as students are provided with structured social-emotional learning, teachers need professional development opportunities that equip them with the tools to navigate the demands of their roles effectively.

What Explicit Wellbeing Training Could Look Like

Effective wellbeing training for teachers should focus on building resilience, emotional intelligence, and sustainable self-care practices. A well-designed programme might include the following:

1. Understanding the Science of Wellbeing

• Exploring the connection between emotions, stress, and mental health.
• Learning how the brain processes trauma and the resulting effects on decision-making and relationships.

2. Developing Emotional Intelligence

• Enhancing self-awareness and social awareness to manage interpersonal challenges.
• Building self-management skills to set and achieve realistic goals.

3. Practical Stress-Reduction Strategies

• Incorporating mindfulness practices to improve focus and reduce stress.
• Cultivating resilience to recover from emotional setbacks and challenges.

4. Recognising and Managing Emotional Triggers

• Understanding the brain's response to emotional overload and developing de-escalation techniques.
• Creating a toolkit for handling difficult conversations and practising self-compassion.

5. Building Healthy Work Environments

• Identifying workplace stressors and implementing strategies to mitigate them.
• Establishing peer support networks and fostering collaboration through effective communication.

The Benefits of Prioritising Teacher Wellbeing

When teacher wellbeing is prioritised, the benefits extend far beyond the individual. Educators with strong mental and emotional health are better able to create nurturing environments for their students. They are also less likely to experience burnout, leading to lower turnover rates and greater continuity in student-teacher relationships.

Explicit wellbeing training can also shift the perception of teacher self-care from being a personal responsibility to a shared priority within the education system. Schools that invest in teacher wellbeing send a clear message: supporting educators is fundamental to achieving educational success. To find out more about our professional development programs for educators click here. 

A Call to Action: Leadership and Systemic Support

The responsibility to support teacher wellbeing cannot rest solely on the shoulders of individual educators. As Matthew Johnson, President of the Australian Special Education Principals Association, notes, school leaders and policymakers must actively address the signs of STS and invest in meaningful solutions.

Key steps include:

• Providing ongoing training in trauma-informed care and self-care strategies.
• Adjusting workloads to allow teachers the time and space to process emotional demands.
• Offering dedicated mental health support, such as counselling services and peer networks.

Johnson rightly points out that teachers’ dedication and pride in their work keep schools functioning despite immense challenges. However, this dedication should not be exploited. Without proper support, even the most resilient teachers will struggle to maintain their wellbeing—and, in turn, their ability to support their students effectively.

Beyond Schools: Communities of Care

Education does not happen in isolation; schools are the heartbeat of communities. Teachers are not just educators—they are leaders, mentors, and role models. Investing in their wellbeing is not simply an investment in education but in the strength and future of our society.

Having worked with thousands of educators, I have witnessed the profound impact of prioritising teacher wellbeing. When teachers are given the tools to care for themselves, they are better able to lead their classrooms with energy and compassion. It is time to move beyond token gestures and embrace a systemic, evidence-based approach to wellbeing.

A healthy teacher is the foundation of a healthy school. By supporting educators’ wellbeing, we create a ripple effect of positive change that benefits students, schools, and communities alike. If you would like to know more and discuss the needs of your school, please book a 20-minute no-obligation meeting here.

Learn more about our Professional Development learning for faculties, executives and school wellbeing staff to effectively manage school wellbeing programs here.