Ways to Reduce Stress & Anxiety for Educators
Research has shown that there are effective ways to combat stress and anxiety for teachers. In order to tackle this issue, it is important to understand how to identify what stress looks like so that it can be caught early on and managed.
Symptoms of Stress
According to Teri Wood and Chris McCarthy, both researchers, symptoms of stress include the following:
- Feelings of irritation and inadequacy when thinking about school
- Physical symptoms such as headaches and insomnia
- Withdrawal from colleagues or conflicts with colleagues
- Difficulty concentrating at work
- Absences or the desire to miss school
Road to Recovery
Research has also shown that in order to effectively manage stress and anxiety, both teachers and administrators must possess developed emotional skills including the “ability to recognize emotions accurately, understand their causes and consequences, label them precisely, express them comfortably and regulate them effectively”.
The current situation presents an opportunity for administrators to work with teachers to improve the emotional environment of schools and the learning outcomes of students.
Student Mental Health Certifications
20 percent of students are diagnosed with a mental health condition and suicide is the second leading cause of death in people ages 10 to 34. Despite these facts, 70 percent of students with a mental health disorder do not receive proper treatment. Part of this is likely due to teachers who are not equipped with the proper training and resources they need to be effective.
Part of the reason for the stress teachers feel is they do not feel properly prepared to be able to help students with mental health issues — or identify them early on — and almost no teachers have sufficient training in mental health disorders. Knowledge in this area can truly empower teachers to help their students.
Teachers, staff, and administrators should consider completing additional training to earn Student Mental Health Certificate (SMHC).
Mental health issues plague students, and these certifications are essential in that they equip teachers and staff with the tools they need to provide support and resources to families and students in order to enhance their school experience, safety, and learning outcomes.
In a survey involving 10,000 school administrators and special education directors in school districts nationwide, it was discovered that 81 percent of teenagers with anxiety responded positively to teacher intervention. 71 percent of teens experienced improved test scores after experiencing teacher engagement and 85 percent of teenagers with ADHD improved academically after treatment.
According to Teri Wood and Chris McCarthy, both researchers, symptoms of stress include the following:
