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Teachers report rise in mental health fears Teachers report rise in mental health fears
(about 9 hours later)
More than a third - 38% - of school and college staff have seen a rise in mental health issues among colleagues in the past two years, a poll suggests. More than a third - 38% - of school and college staff have seen a rise in mental health issues among colleagues in the past two years, a poll for a teachers' union suggests.
And 55% said their job had a negative impact on their mental health.And 55% said their job had a negative impact on their mental health.
The government says it trusts heads to address any issues with staff. The government says it trusts heads to address any health issues with staff.
The Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) last month polled 925 education staff working in state and private schools and colleges in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) last month polled 925 education staff in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Disturbed sleepDisturbed sleep
Of those who said they believed their job has had a negative impact on their mental health, 80% said they were stressed.Of those who said they believed their job has had a negative impact on their mental health, 80% said they were stressed.
Some 70% said they were left feeling exhausted by their work and 66% said it disturbed their sleep.Some 70% said they were left feeling exhausted by their work and 66% said it disturbed their sleep.
The ATL is concerned that a stigma attached to mental health issues means many people are afraid to tell their employers if they have such problems.The ATL is concerned that a stigma attached to mental health issues means many people are afraid to tell their employers if they have such problems.
The poll found 68% of those dealing with a mental health problem had decided to keep it a secret from bosses, compared with 38% of those who kept a physical health issue to themselves.The poll found 68% of those dealing with a mental health problem had decided to keep it a secret from bosses, compared with 38% of those who kept a physical health issue to themselves.
The ATL will debate the topic at its annual conference in Manchester this week.The ATL will debate the topic at its annual conference in Manchester this week.
A resolution has been put forward calling on the union to establish a dedicated working group to investigate the issue.A resolution has been put forward calling on the union to establish a dedicated working group to investigate the issue.
Union members want to look specifically at the impact of performance management systems on those with mental health problems or hidden disabilities.Union members want to look specifically at the impact of performance management systems on those with mental health problems or hidden disabilities.
'Intense pressure''Intense pressure'
Dr Mary Bousted, general secretary of ATL, said she was shocked by the survey findings.Dr Mary Bousted, general secretary of ATL, said she was shocked by the survey findings.
"Education professionals do more unpaid overtime than any other group and are put under constant intense pressure to meet targets, with excessive observation, changes in the curriculum and Ofsted inspections."Education professionals do more unpaid overtime than any other group and are put under constant intense pressure to meet targets, with excessive observation, changes in the curriculum and Ofsted inspections.
"Those working in education need to be supported better, with schools and colleges making adjustments to their jobs and working conditions where necessary."Those working in education need to be supported better, with schools and colleges making adjustments to their jobs and working conditions where necessary.
"ATL calls for more to be done to ease the stigma surrounding mental health problems.""ATL calls for more to be done to ease the stigma surrounding mental health problems."
A spokeswoman for the Department for Education said statistics showed that teaching had never been "more attractive, more popular or more rewarding".A spokeswoman for the Department for Education said statistics showed that teaching had never been "more attractive, more popular or more rewarding".
"We trust the professionalism of our head teachers to work with their staff to ensure they receive the support they need and to see that any issues are addressed," she added."We trust the professionalism of our head teachers to work with their staff to ensure they receive the support they need and to see that any issues are addressed," she added.