Page 12 - ELG1806 June Issue 458

NEWS FEATURE .

Beneath

the

surface

Last year I gave an interview about their difficulties. But there also need a supportive working will discriminate against a
for Time to Talk day, an annual are particular factors that cause environment. job candidate who discloses
UK event about challenging the stress and exacerbate existing There are things that a mental health condition up
stigma around mental health and mental health conditions in our institutions themselves can do if front, although legislation makes
ending the discrimination related profession, such as homesickness, they wish to get the best out of this illegal, at least in the UK.
to it. cultural differences, job insecurity their ‘workforce’. Emma Mamo, head of workplace
The focal point of the interview and working conditions. A key feature that came out wellbeing at Mind, said: ‘Too
was recollecting when a single The psychology of language of the research was that training many people struggling with poor
trigger had caused a panic attack, teachers is crucial and cannot be of line managers is currently mental health, such as stress,
which then affected how I felt ignored. woefully lacking. anxiety and depression, still feel
about teaching on the pre-sessional A healthy, balanced lifestyle, A survey question asked they need to stay silent.
course I had been hired for. which includes physical activity, whether training in how to ‘For some, reasons include: not
Despite completing five weeks hobbies away from the classroom support teachers’ mental health feeling comfortable disclosing
of teaching, I never fully recovered and activities like meditation and had been given. Of 228 responses, their mental health problem,
from this and my subsequent mindfulness can significantly help 153 simply said ‘no’, ‘none’ or worrying their employer will think
anxiety. Poor mental health has some teachers and alleviate some ‘never’. they can’t do their job and not
impacted on my career as an of the symptoms of poor mental Many of those who were more
English language teacher many health. I asked questions about equipped to deal with mental
times. I have learned much about all these factors as part of a wide- health issues had actually received ‘It still is not
how to improve my own mental ranging piece of research last training outside of the profession, common to talk
wellbeing, but there are many who December. in previous jobs. Several referred
are still struggling. The study was meant to be a to some kind of ‘safeguarding’ about poor mental
Across a broad range of balanced and holistic look at the training within teaching, but health in the
industries, a recent survey of situation. it was not specifically centred workplace because
44,000 employees by the charity I received 500 different around mental health. of the associated
Mind found that almost half had responses from ELT professionals, In many contexts around the
experienced poor mental health, 426 of whom were teachers. world, the topic of teachers’ stigma and the
such as stress, low mood and What emerged was that mental health is simply ignored. perceived reactions’
anxiety. while teachers can develop Many cultures perpetuate
Of those respondents, only coping mechanisms and tactics the stigma of talking openly
half chose to tell their employer to maintain wellbeing, they about this. Many employers
12 June 2018

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