What are the signs?
- Physical or emotional exhaustion (or both)
- Reduced feelings of sympathy or empathy
- Dreading taking care of someone and feeling guilty about it
- Feeling irritable, angry, or anxious
- Headaches
- Trouble sleeping
- Isolating yourself
- Feeling disconnected
- Reduced sense of accomplishment or meaning in the work
- Difficulties in making decisions
- Possible impact on your personal life and relationships
Short term advice for school staff
Make self care a priority. Taking care of yourself isn’t a luxury. When you’re feeling healthy, you’ll be much more able to support children who need it the most.
Find positive ways to cope with stress when at home; take a walk, meditate, watch something funny, take a warm bath, call a friend. Spend time on a hobby or something you enjoy.
Longer term advice for schools
- Develop stress management approaches across the whole school for example mindfulness, meditation and breathing exercises
- Team working is of utmost importance. When one member of staff is struggling, they may need to take ‘time out’ and another can then step in
- Consider setting up a ‘buddy’ system so that staff have someone there who they feel comfortable to check in with on a regular basis
- Seek support from professionals who can offer regular confidential, non-judgmental supervision and support
- Set up a wellbeing display board with space for staff to contribute ideas. Make sure it’s updated regularly
- Keep staff wellbeing and pastoral care as a high priority, with opportunities for discussion and downtime together