SE COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS: HIDDEN MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS: TEACHERS. March 11, 2022

 This month’s community conversation is the second installment of our “Hidden Mental Health Professionals” Series! This month we will explore “Hidden Mental Health Professionals: Teachers”

Educators are tasked with the responsibility of teaching- children and adults- but time and circumstances have revealed that in many ways these professionals are responsible for much more. They have been tasked with guiding students and shaping their personalities, helping them endure stress, and providing early identification of mental health issues. Often, teachers are the first people to identify certain behavioral concerns and mental health concerns and connect students and families to additional school and community services, including mental health providers or social workers. Further, teachers are even sought out as the first source of support for students, acting as an unofficial counselor. In many ways, the current COVID-19 pandemic has compounded these issues, with many teachers reporting higher rates of burnout due to increased stress placed on them, as well as higher levels of student and family distress.

While teachers take on these responsibilities, many have said that traditional training for educators does not adequately prepare them for these additional duties.

In this month's conversation we will explore this impact on teachers, considering ways mental health professionals can support educators, methods for peers to support each other, and provide access to tools to minimize and avoid burnout.