Teachers across the UK are calling for increased suicide prevention and mental health support within schools, a move underscored by recent motions at the NASUWT annual conference in Harrogate. This action comes in the wake of a survey revealing nearly 90% of teachers feel their mental health has been adversely affected by their job over the past year, with instances of increased alcohol consumption and antidepressant use reported. The conference, which attracted over 11,000 union members, discussed the pressing need for all school leaders to undergo suicide prevention training and for mental health first aid training to be mandatory and fully funded across all schools.

These discussions have been catalyzed by the heart-wrenching suicide of headteacher Ruth Perry and other noted pressures leading to mental health declines among teaching professionals. Delegates at the conference highlighted the dire mental health emergency within the teaching profession, with some educators reaching a “crisis point” of suicidal thoughts due to work pressures.

In response, the Department for Education (DfE) has acknowledged the critical need for prioritizing teacher well-being, mentioning ongoing support through grants for mental health training in schools and referencing initiatives such as the Education Staff Wellbeing Charter. These measures aim to tackle the mounting pressures and mental health challenges that educators face, in hopes of averting further tragedies and enhancing the support system within the education sector.