Teachers: The forgotten health workforce
Written By: Victoria Cook
2 min read
Original article by:
Lowry C, Leonard-Kane R, Gibbs B et al. (2022) Teachers: the forgotten health workforce. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine 115(4): 133–137.
Introduction
Amidst rising rates of mental illness among children, this commentary highlights the role of teachers as the forgotten health workforce. According to the Mental Health of Children and Young People in England (MHCYP) survey, teachers are the most common source of mental health support for children (NHS Digital, 2017). Although children are well placed to access help in schools, staff do not receive the necessary training to promote mental health or respond to problems (Byrne et al., 2015; Sibieta, 2021). Furthermore, disproportionate numbers of teachers themselves experience mental health problems (Lowry et al., 2022a).
What is the research underpinning it?
Research indicates that teachers have an important role as public health professionals, promoting long-term health. School conne
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References
- Byrne J, Shepherd J, Dewhirst S et al. (2015) Pre-service teacher training in health and well-being in England: the state of the nation. European Journal of Teacher Education 38: 217–233.
- Children’s Commissioner for England (2020) The state of children’s mental health services. Available at: https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/report/the-state-of-childrens-mental-health-services (accessed 16 November 2022).
- Flèche S (2017) Teacher quality, test scores and non-cognitive skills: Evidence from primary school teachers in the UK. CEP Discussion Papers. London, UK: Centre for Economic Performance. Available at: https://cep.lse.ac.uk/_new/publications/abstract.asp?index=5365 (accessed 16 November 2022).
- Jani A, Lowry C, Haylor E, Wanninayake S et al. (2022) Leveraging the bi-directional links between health and education to promote long-term resilience and equality. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine 115: 95–99.
- Kim J (2021) The quality of social relationships in schools and adult health: differential effects of student–student versus student–teacher relationships. School Psychology 36: 6–16.
- Lowry C, Stegeman I, Rauch F et al. (2022a) Modifying the school determinants of children’s health. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine 115: 16–21.
- Lowry C, Rees J, Gregson D et al. (2022b) The poor relation: health education in English schools. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine 115: 52–57.
- NHS Digital (2017) Mental health of children and young people in England, 2017 [PAS]. Available: https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/mental-health-of-children-and-young-people-in-england/2017/2017 (accessed 16 November 2022).
- Sibieta L (2021) School spending in England: trends over time and future outlook. London: Institute for Fiscal Studies. Available at: https://ifs.org.uk/sites/default/files/output_url_files/BN334-School-spending-in-England-trends-over-time-and-future-outlook.pdf (accessed 16 November 2022).
- Vostanis P, Humphrey N, Fitzgerald B et al. (2013) How do schools promote emotional wellbeing among their pupils? Findings from a national scoping survey of mental health provision in English schools. Child and Adolescent Mental Health 18 (3): 151–157.
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