There is no question about the fact that the last two years have been incredibly stressful for people around the world. With a global pandemic threatening the health and well-being of people everywhere, and Russia starting an unjust war in Europe, worries and anxieties seem to be higher now than ever before. Moreover, schools in the US and abroad have been affected by numerous changes to and from remote learning, and its effects can still be felt by students and teachers. Overcoming stress has become an everyday challenge for children and adults alike, and schools are now expected to address it.
Although a stress-free learning environment is vital for students dealing with pressures both inside and outside classrooms, schools are unfortunately known to cause stress for students and teachers alike. In fact, recent research proves that there is a casual link between growing anxiety levels, suicidal thoughts, academic pressure, social media use, isolation, and bullying. Furthermore, persistent global issues like the global pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine exacerbate existing issues and inequities in schools and universities around the world. Mental and emotional health support is now of critical importance in order to create and sustain a healthy, enjoyable learning environment.
Teacher job satisfaction
According to a new study, teachers’ job satisfaction levels appear to have hit an all-time low in 2022 due to the pandemic and its numerous effects that continue to ravage American schools. Research suggests that teachers throughout the country feel overworked, underpaid, and under-appreciated. Only 12% of the teachers questioned said they are satisfied with their jobs, while more than four in ten said they are likely to leave their jobs in the near future. Pandemic-related policies and inequity issues are just some of the contributing factors causing teachers to rethink their career path.
Another factor adding to educators’ growing dissatisfaction with their profession is their perception that most people do not understand or appreciate their work. According to this study, less than half of the teachers felt that the general public respected them and viewed them as professionals. This is in contrast to a similar study conducted in 2011, which showed that 77% of the teachers questioned at the time believed that they were appreciated by the general public.
Stress and anxiety among students
Like teachers, students in the US and abroad are also facing various problems while trying to return to normal. According to a Fenews study, more than 80% of headteachers have reported that anxiety among students taking their exams in 2022 is higher than the years prior to the pandemic. While the research focuses on data from schools and colleges in the United Kingdom—England, Northern Ireland, and Wales—the issues discovered during the survey seem universal. Teachers report that some students are now exhibiting challenging behavior, while other students engage in an increasing number of self-harming activities.
American students may face even more problems, considering the fact that more than 45 million people in the US are paying down student loans. According to the Urban Institute, most American students borrow funds in order to pay a portion of their college expenses. Every year, 30–40% of all undergraduate students accept federal student loans, while 70% of those who acquire a bachelor’s degree have education-related debt by the time they graduate. These studies show that, while most teachers believe that their salaries are unfair, most students are also burdened with financial stress—and both issues cause stress and anxiety.
Overcoming stress
Building a culture of support for mental health in American schools could prove to be beneficial for both teachers and students. This means that schools should prioritize and support the mental health of teachers, while providing students with similar support. Moreover, extra counseling, well-being sessions, additional parental engagement, and support from their communities can also help teachers and students feel respected as well as appreciated—which in turn can partially relieve stress. Other important measures include improving the conditions for federal student loans and increasing teachers’ salaries—both key ways of relieving financial stress.
