I read the disturbing account of a headteacher who committed suicide in November last year after delivering an INSET session to her staff. It was significant that there was a subsequent lack of press coverage, suggesting low interest or concern to their readers, though this may be a narrow view.
Self harm, substance abuse, mental health all seem to be swept under the carpet by society because we don't want to have to deal with it. Our lives are difficult enough, why don't these people just 'pull themselves together'. We have to cope, so why can't they.
It's the last bit of this statement which is significant - can't.
It's just that. They lack the capacity, then overload and meltdown. Why do people ever get to that place? Why don't they ask for help beforehand? Because we are all prone to judge mental health from our own perspective of having some or more capacity and it's that approach that the individual can't cope with.
They don't want to be told 'It's going to be ok'. It's only when you've been right next to someone having a nervous breakdown can you really appreciate how little capacity they really have left. It's a pretty scary place to be safeguarding someone who has lost their capacity to live 'normally', whatever that means.
Telegraph Article on More teachers 'quitting the classroom over indiscipline'
So adults and children are increasingly finding their capacity to manage their complex social, emotional and perhaps financial lives that causes them to attach blame to themselves and start to self harm. Many adults pour scorn on the idea and suggest it's a choice, but remember, necking a few glasses too may of red wine after a difficult week is a similar approach as it dulls the senses and shuts the brain down from the chatter going on.
So what about the teacher in the classroom who just isn't managing their classes well enough. They follow the Behaviour Policy from behind a closed classroom door, applying the escalating consequence approach to facilitate a cessation of hostilities and being expected that it should work 'Because everyone else is managing ok'.
Clearly, this doesn't work for all and makes it easy for managers to suggest that they are not making enough progress when in fact, they are unable to teach. It makes no difference how good a teacher you are, a closed door BM approach will always lead to failing teachers. What's needed is an open door, collaborative, proactive Supportive policy with all of the school community involved, not just those in the classroom.
What can you do when it's a closed door? You blame the children and then you blame yourself. You start to compare and somehow, you just don't cut it. But what if you could gather the troops and get the support from someone who has a better relationship with the children and with their help, have them scatter the dust of approval over you and your classroom. Now, it's truly a whole school programme. We all need our supporters when we're having difficulties and if we're supporting teachers in the classroom, we can have a profound effect on the teacher's mental health and the learning of the children.
More than once I have overheard children say 'He's OK' to their friends about a newer teacher to their circle when things are about to kickoff and it's that approval we all ultimately need.
If anyone reading this feels they or a friend might need support, then contact Teacher Support Network
UK Tel 08000 562 561
Wales Tel 08000 855 088
Txt: 07909341229 - we'll call you back straight away
Self harm, substance abuse, mental health all seem to be swept under the carpet by society because we don't want to have to deal with it. Our lives are difficult enough, why don't these people just 'pull themselves together'. We have to cope, so why can't they.
It's the last bit of this statement which is significant - can't.
It's just that. They lack the capacity, then overload and meltdown. Why do people ever get to that place? Why don't they ask for help beforehand? Because we are all prone to judge mental health from our own perspective of having some or more capacity and it's that approach that the individual can't cope with.
They don't want to be told 'It's going to be ok'. It's only when you've been right next to someone having a nervous breakdown can you really appreciate how little capacity they really have left. It's a pretty scary place to be safeguarding someone who has lost their capacity to live 'normally', whatever that means.
Telegraph Article on More teachers 'quitting the classroom over indiscipline'
So adults and children are increasingly finding their capacity to manage their complex social, emotional and perhaps financial lives that causes them to attach blame to themselves and start to self harm. Many adults pour scorn on the idea and suggest it's a choice, but remember, necking a few glasses too may of red wine after a difficult week is a similar approach as it dulls the senses and shuts the brain down from the chatter going on.
So what about the teacher in the classroom who just isn't managing their classes well enough. They follow the Behaviour Policy from behind a closed classroom door, applying the escalating consequence approach to facilitate a cessation of hostilities and being expected that it should work 'Because everyone else is managing ok'.
Clearly, this doesn't work for all and makes it easy for managers to suggest that they are not making enough progress when in fact, they are unable to teach. It makes no difference how good a teacher you are, a closed door BM approach will always lead to failing teachers. What's needed is an open door, collaborative, proactive Supportive policy with all of the school community involved, not just those in the classroom.
What can you do when it's a closed door? You blame the children and then you blame yourself. You start to compare and somehow, you just don't cut it. But what if you could gather the troops and get the support from someone who has a better relationship with the children and with their help, have them scatter the dust of approval over you and your classroom. Now, it's truly a whole school programme. We all need our supporters when we're having difficulties and if we're supporting teachers in the classroom, we can have a profound effect on the teacher's mental health and the learning of the children.
More than once I have overheard children say 'He's OK' to their friends about a newer teacher to their circle when things are about to kickoff and it's that approval we all ultimately need.
If anyone reading this feels they or a friend might need support, then contact Teacher Support Network
UK Tel 08000 562 561
Wales Tel 08000 855 088
Txt: 07909341229 - we'll call you back straight away