Nine Out of Ten Australian Teachers Are Severely Stressed. (Plus, Three More Relevant Mental Health Statistics)

Before you complain about stress, you might want to know how Australian teachers are feeling.

Nine out of ten Australian teachers are severely stressed, and 70% consider their workloads unmanageable, according to a groundbreaking new study cited by Science Direct.

The study, titled, Teachers’ workload, turnover intentions, and mental health, was published in Social Psychology of Education. Inside the study are the results of a survey focusing on 4,959 primary and secondary teachers, with the respondents reporting their workloads as a top cause for stress. 

The study also revealed a high employee turnover rate among teachers, which highlights the demand for mental health education, training, and awareness, as well as a need for more supportive environments for teachers to work.

This is the first study to examine the rates of mental health problems among Australian teachers. The study found the teachers are experiencing stress at three times the national norm, meaning everyone from primary and secondary school teachers, to art, music, and language teachers are feeling the pressure. Added to the crisis is the teacher shortage, which as of 2024, has resulted in a need for 44 million teachers globally by 2030, according to a report by the United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

The more stressed teachers exist, the more difficult filling positions will be. A resolution means finding where the crisis begins. Frequently, that’s in the classroom.

There are a few factors increasing teachers’ stress. Teachers are tasked with lesson and classroom planning, as well as assessment implantation, both of which stretch their capabilities. Amplifying the problem are behavioral problems at schools which are now worse than before the pandemic, leaving teachers, who are both underpaid and under-supported, frustrated. 

The job’s stressful tasks make quitting in favor of easier, higher-paying positions more desirable. However, an education background built over years may prompt hesitation from instructors, leaving them stuck and hopelessly out of touch with the classroom.

Not every teacher wants to resign. According to a recent survey cited by NEA Today, 16% of teachers intend to leave their job in 2025, down from 22% in 2024. Causes for walk-outs range from under-preparation to burnout to a lack of self-awareness. Quite simply, teachers worldwide aren’t equipped for the stress.

Mental health statistics increase awareness, reducing stigma and making help-seeking an easier process. With teachers needing to know how to cope with stress, school officials are tasked with a response. These statistics establish a foundation for making changes while ensuring resources can be properly allotted to help depressed, anxious teachers.

The survey from the third annual Merrimack College Teacher Survey for the 2023-2024 calendar year indicates that the percentage of affected teachers has increased from 42% from the previous year. The 32-question online survey had respondents suggesting more mental health days for teachers, citing a lack of support, and an overall indifference to well-being.

It turns out, knowing accounts for half the fight. Awareness among teachers leads to improved student outcomes, as student success is directly related to teacher performance. By looking to at trends in teacher mental health statistics, school administrators are more prepared to support teachers, improving their mental health. Students behave better and skip class less frequently, while schools continue to empower teachers to succeed in recovery.

Coping refers to the activities, behaviors, and changes someone makes to manage their response to distress. For teachers, coping isn’t easy, as revealed in RAND’s 2024 State of the American Teacher survey, which pointed to responses from teachers that indicate they work nine hours more per week than other workers. The extra time worked increases the risk for burnout, making coping a challenge. After all, teachers need energy to manage severe stress.

Schools are recognizing the power of the research. The survey represents a chance to spot opportunities to help teachers. By drawing on data and responses, schools improve their teacher's’ use of coping skills, whether by working with them independently or as an entire group. To increase their impact, academic institutions devote resources to addressing the causes of teacher stress, ensuring teachers are prepared and trained to deal with stress.

Interventions are needed for teachers who use alcohol. According to a story published in iTV, a NASUWT study indicates nearly a quarter of U.K. teachers are using alcohol to manage, while another 12% have increased their reliance on antidepressants.

Both reports are important. Students need attentive, fully functional teachers to succeed, and teacher’s need support to teach. Identifying alcohol use among teachers as a problem places schools in a better position to help.

Efforts are being made. Schools are increasing access to mental health and substance abuse education, and faculty members are taking a more supportive approach to interventions. More resources are available for distressed teachers, while administrators, wary of the risks, now encourage counseling while promoting public awareness, helping to reduce the stigma about mental health.

Likely, teachers worldwide will continue to experience stress. The rate in which they experience problems will be alarming and noticeable, prompting a hasty response from policymakers and states. Still, the demand for resources and training exceed availability, meaning more teachers in the future will have to wait for services. 

Administrators and communities are prominent figures in the fight. So long as they guide teachers through help-seeking, stress for teachers in the future will be a problem they can handle, and students and families alike will see the benefits. 

Do you know a teacher who is experiencing stress? Is teacher stress a problem in your community? Discuss in the comment section below the causes, your ideas, thoughts, and suggestions.