Key Domain - Mental Well-Being

Staff are supported to learn about efforts they can take collectively and individually to positively impact their own mental well-being.  Ensuring a specific focus on mental well-being has shown to decrease stress, burnout and other negative factors (Cezar-Vaz et al., 2015).  Understanding and intentionally tending to a culture of mental well-being ultimately ensures healthy academic environments for all school community members (Gray, Wilcox, & Nordstokke, 2017). 

 

Focus of the Domain

• Advocacy for Mental Health - Awareness and promotion of mental health exists within the workplace but “is not the sole responsibility of an organization or its leaders” (Burns & Machin, 2013, p. 321).  Staff are aware of opportunities and are able to engage in professional and personal conversations and activities regarding mental health and mental health support within and outside of the school. Staff understand the value of self care in creating healthy balance in all aspects of life.
• Strive for Balance - Staff engage in positive practices and self reflections that promote a balanced lifestyle.  Staff are aware of and able to identify and understand stress management strategies in order to cope effectively with stressful situations.  Staff understand and practice personal strategies that positively impact mental well-being in all aspects of life, which are shown to lead to higher levels of happiness at work (Benevene et al., 2019).

 

• Awareness and Application -  Staff engage in continuous learning about mental health research and practice to increase their awareness and understanding of the impacts of mental well-being.  Staff apply this learning through self-reflection related to their personal mental well-being, to help build organizational resources and capacities that support and nurture staff morale and well-being (Wilson et al., 2004). 

 

Reflective Questions

 

• How do I access and advocate for mental health support?

• How do we, as a team, support each other for mental well-being?

• What are my personal strategies that positively impact mental well-being in all aspects of life?

• How do we, as a team, identify strategies and expectations which support people in maintaining a healthy balanced lifestyle?

• How do I access information about mental health for myself and others?

• How do we, as a team, engage in learning to promote healthy mental well-being?

 

References

Benevene P, De Stasio S, Fiorilli C, Buonomo I, Ragni B, Briegas JJM & Barni D (2019). Effect of teachers’ happiness on teachers’ health: The mediating role of happiness at work. Frontiers in Psychology, 10(2449).

Burns, R. A., & Machin, M. A. (2013). Employee and workplace well-being: A multi-level analysis of teacher personality and organizational climate in Norwegian teachers from rural, urban and city schools. Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research, 57(3), 309-324.

Cezar-Vaz, M. R., Bonow, C. A., Almeida, M. C. V., Rocha, L. P., & Borges, A. M. (2015). Mental health of elementary schoolteachers in Southern Brazil: working conditions and health consequences. The Scientific World Journal, 1-5. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/825925

Gray, C., Wilcox, G., & Norstokke, D. (2017) Teacher mental health, school climate, inclusive education and student learning: A review. Canadian Psychology, 58(3), 203-210.

Wilson, M.G., Dejoy, D.M., Vandenberg, R.J., Richardson, H.A., & McGrath, A.L. (2004). Work characteristics and employee health and well-being: Test of a model of healthy work organization. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 77, 565– 588.