Caption: Why I'm quitting teaching Picture: Ph?be Lou Morson Phebe
Teaching is putting a heavy mental strain on teachers (Picture: Phébe Lou Morson)

A recent survey found that nearly 50% of teachers are struggling with mental health.

teaching time13 thoughts every teacher has during the first week of term

A considerable number of respondents also reported taking medication due to the stresses caused by their work.

Increased workload, emotional demand and funding cuts are all factors that could play a part in this statistic and the common perception that teachers have it easy and get too many holidays is a far cry from the reality.

With Theresa May admitting that children’s mental health is a huge problem and with teachers working tirelessly to teach students about mental health, is their own welfare being overlooked and even disregarded?

I spoke to five teachers about whether teaching impacts their mental health and the kind of support, if any, that is available.

It makes for stark reading and it’s clear that many teachers join the profession keen to make a difference but are left disheartened, struggling and forced to leave prematurely.


If we want the best for our children and schools then something has to change.


I first became a teacher because I wanted to help the most vulnerable children, so I chose to work in a Pupil Referral Unit (PRU).

Sadly, teaching has had a negative impact on my own mental health. I think this is due to the long working hours and the emotional strain that comes with it, especially working in a PRU.

Due to the difficult backgrounds of some children in my care, it’s hard to leave my work at the school doors and I often take home the worries of what is happening in their home lives at the end of the day.

The constant pressure and scrutiny from the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) has also affected my mental state and I feel a heightened sense of stress and anxiety.

I don’t think enough is done to support teachers’ mental health. The people I should be able to turn to in my place of work are the SLT who tend to distance themselves from teachers and support staff, rather than offer support.

(Picture: Liberty Antonia Sadler for


Since being at school myself, I always wanted to become a primary school teacher.

At first, I loved the job and the satisfaction of knowing I had made a difference at the end of every day. Teaching is so much more than what goes on in a classroom. You become an emotional support for children and even their families.


My mental health began to suffer about a year in. Work was not the only factor, but it certainly played a part. I now suffer with anxiety and left teaching to pursue a different career.

There is constant pressure and a feeling that your best is still never enough. The pressure comes from all angles – from SLT to parents to the government.

It’s also a never-ending to-do list. You could work every waking minute of the day and there would still be more to do.

One of the main things I struggled with was constant scrutiny and observation. In the school I worked in, observations could happen at any time and it left me with a constant feeling of worry and unease.

The actual observations themselves were often disheartening as you are marked from criteria on a piece of paper, not the overall progress and wellbeing of the children. I was left in tears after one observation and told I was a ‘cause for concern’ which made my self-esteem plummet.

Teaching is not a job, it is a life. You are expected to be available at all hours and work never ends.

I don’t think that teachers’ mental health is considered. People assume it’s easy with all the holidays etc. but it isn’t.

I did tell SLT I was struggling but wasn’t offered any support. I’m disappointed that I had to leave a job I was good at and always wanted to do, but no job is worth sacrificing your mental wellbeing.



I became a teacher because I had an amazing teacher in school and just wanted to be like her.

But teaching has impacted my mental health in a negative way. It is not the stresses of the job I can’t handle, it was my situation.

Why it's important we talk about grief in schools (Eleanor Segall)
Teachers get into the job because they want to help (Picture: Phébe Lou Morson for

My ex-headteacher observed me and tore apart everything I did, without being constructive, and my co-worker, who was also my mentor, sat back and did nothing.

Comments made were ‘Do you even understand what it’s like to be a teacher?’ ‘Do you understand why we get holidays? We work hard, is that what you’re doing?’ ‘Are you worth the amount of money we pay you?’ ‘Do you understand how to teach Year Three because it doesn’t seem that way?’

My self-esteem hit an all-time low. I literally ran to the toilets and had a panic attack while my TA managed my class. I was then told I had to prepare another observation-ready lesson for two days’ time, but I had no time to prepare because of parents’ evening.

I was again observed and destroyed with personal, cutting comments.

I worked the last six weeks of the term and it got to the Christmas holidays and I physically couldn’t go near my laptop as it made me wretch. I spent most days of my holiday crying at the thought of facing everything.


After going to the doctor, I was given sleeping tablets and signed off sick for 10 weeks.

I had to attend a back to work meeting and that was unhelpful because it was with the person who caused the issues. I was told I took everything too personally.

The amount of support you receive depends on the school. I currently work at a different school in a different council.

This head and SLT team are so understanding, supportive, kind and helpful. If I have any worries, they always make time to listen and allow time out of class if we really need it.

Teaching is stressful and is not a job to be taken lightly.

I think mental health depends on your team (SLT especially) but I can see why many teachers leave the career within a few years.


I became a teacher because I love being around children and it’s a rewarding job.

Teaching hasn’t helped my mental health, but it hasn’t made it worse.

However, getting little sleep because of worrying about the children’s home lives and whatnot doesn’t help. Workload is the biggest stressor though and on-demand tasks with little notice.

I receive support from occupational health, but I don’t really think that has helped much – I feel we just go around in circles.

Daily, I consider if I would be better off with an easier job but I wouldn’t give up unless I really must. I’m coping okay right now.


I became a teacher to inspire and make a difference in the lives of children like my teachers once did for me.

Teaching impacted my mental health, I developed crippling anxiety and my self-belief evaporated due to never feeling good enough for the senior management at the school I was at.

I didn’t receive any support from the school; the support I received was from my family and boyfriend who helped me come through the other side.

I have now left the profession. I went on to supply teaching which I loved and then to a special needs school in a support role. I have considered going back to become a special needs teacher, however I do worry about going back to a life dictated by my job and worry about the impact returning to the profession will have on my life and my mental health.

More and more pressures are being put on teachers with no regard for their mental health and every single teacher friend I have is considering leaving the profession within the next few years.

*Names have been changed to respect anonymity.

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