'Healthy workforce is central to delivering healthy outcomes for pupils' says the NASUWT
Responding to the announcement of the Government’s ten-year strategy in England to deal with the growing prevalence of depression and the comments of Professor Appleby, National Director of Mental Health in England, on the role of schools in promoting the mental health and wellbeing of pupils,Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union, said:
“The Government is right to promote such a strategy. Research commissioned by the NASUWT has identified the growing incidence of mental health problems in children and young people. Effective collaboration between schools and health agencies will make a vital difference to the mental health and wellbeing of pupils.
“However, in focusing on the role schools can play, the Government must not forget the workforce.
“A healthy workforce is central to delivering healthy outcomes for pupils. Teaching is widely recognised as one of the most stressful occupations.
“Results from the research commissioned by the NASUWT highlight the need for access to support, counselling and specific health interventions for the workforce.
“The research also confirms the need to tackle the root causes of stress in schools, such as the impact on the wellbeing of school leaders, teachers and other staff of the high-stakes accountability regime.”
