HEALING THE HEART OF EDUCATION: TEACHERS MENTAL HEALTH

Abstract

This paper examines the crucial role of mental health in the teaching profession, highlighting that mental well-being is integral to overall health and has a significant impact on teacher’s effectiveness, job satisfaction, and student outcomes.The paper highlights that teaching is a highly stressful occupation, with factors such as heavy workloads, inadequate institutional support, student behavior challenges, and pressure from parents contributing to elevated risks of anxiety, depression, and burnout among teachers. These mental health challenges not only affect teacher’s personal well-being but also negatively influence their teaching self-efficacy and student’s academic performance. Study underscores the importance of supportive school environments and targeted mental health interventions to enhance teacher’s resilience and professional happiness. It discusses the National Education Policy 2020, which aims to create nurturing educational settings that support teacher’s mental health through ongoing professional development and reduced stress. The paper also identifies stigma, lack of resources, and insufficient emotional support as barriers to addressing teacher’s mental health needs effectively. The purpose of the paper to improve teacher’s mental health by providing various strategies, including personal growth opportunities, peer support systems, creative expression outlets, community service, mental fitness challenges, and access to inspirational content, relaxation zones, and physical well-being programs. The researcher suggests activities that promote emotional regulation and resilience, thereby benefiting teachers by fostering a healthier and more productive educational environment.