Working in education places us in an incredibly privileged position. We spend an awful lot of time with students during some of the most formative years of their lives. 

But while it is a privilege, that doesn’t mean it’s not difficult. It is often said that teachers aren’t just teachers, they are social workers, medics, counsellors and, sometimes, surrogate parents. 

This can take an enormous toll on staff as they try to juggle everything they come across each day, as well as the things they have to deal with outside of school. Spinning plates is often the analogy that is used, but at the moment it’s more like spinning plates that are balancing on bouncy balls, which happen to be perched precariously at the top of a staircase. 

Trying to keep those plates spinning is at a whole different level of difficulty right now. We try to leave our home life at home and our work life at work, but it’s not always that simple. 

Teacher wellbeing: when the burden of knowledge becomes too much

I work as a safeguarding and welfare officer in a secondary school. Part of my role means being available to listen to students who may be struggling with anxiety, depression, friendship issues, bereavement - basically, anything that is causing a student discomfort. 

As I said earlier, it is absolutely a privilege to be in that position. When you are the first person who a student has opened up to about something - whether their mental health, their gender identity, issues in the home or anything else - it is humbling. 

But it can definitely weigh heavily. How could it not? In one morning, I might see a student really struggling with depression and suicidal ideation. Breaktime comes and someone knocks on the door. They’re struggling with their anxiety and can’t cope. Then my period-three appointment has an eating disorder and is struggling to deal with it. 

I find it impossible to go home and switch off. How can I, when I know so much? I also have two kids of my own (both under three and a half) so the idea of switching off and relaxing seems all but a pipe dream. 

That burden of knowledge can sometimes feel like it’s too much. Because of the nature of the things that I am dealing with, it’s not often that I can really talk about work. It’s not really an over-the-dinner-table sort of conversation. 

Someone to speak to in complete confidence

Thankfully, my school has a wonderful counsellor/psychotherapist, whom I can see and just throw all my thoughts at. This provision has made a massive difference for me. Having someone to speak to confidentially allows me to just vent and make sense of everything that has happened. I’m not sure I would be very effective in my role without it. 

This support was initially available to pastoral staff in four 30-minute slots, once a month. Thankfully, our headteacher is a big advocate for staff wellbeing, and is willing to put his money where his mouth is, so we managed to increase the provision to once a fortnight. This meant we could offer sessions to the entire school staff. 

A lot of staff have taken advantage of the provision, sometimes just for a one-off session and sometimes for regular sessions. Either way, staff know that they have someone in school they can speak to in complete confidence. Cover is provided if a teacher wants to book a session when they happen to be teaching. 

We advise every staff member to go at least once. Even if you think you have no issues, just having a chat about your week can leave you feeling better. Sometimes, we carry things around with us without even realising. Often, we resemble the donkey in the game Buckaroo: as the week goes on, things get added on to our backs that we have to carry. You always feel like you are managing it all, but sometimes the tiniest addition to that load can cause you to buck and throw everything off. 

Speaking to a counsellor or therapist offers the opportunity to challenge some of the unhealthy thoughts you may be having. A chat in the staffroom can be great at times, and will be a welcomed boost to morale, but it might not always be as productive in the long term.

A conversation with a counsellor allows you to identify the negative or unhealthy thoughts you are having, and help you to work through them. 

There is a lot of talk at the moment about mental health and the wellbeing of students and staff. I am pretty active on Twitter and, from what I can see, a lot of staff are struggling at the moment. Having to deal with isolation, coming to terms with a pandemic, all on top of getting used to a whole new way of working and teaching is proving to be unbelievably draining. 

The mental fatigue of just getting through a week can be debilitating. If wellbeing is to be taken seriously and go beyond mere words, schools need to be given the funding to offer counselling to all members of staff. 

Imagine the difference that could make to a school community - and what a statement of intent it would be, in terms of trying to improve teachers’ wellbeing.

Thomas Michael is a safeguarding and welfare officer in a secondary school. He tweets as @ProudlyPastoral