Teachers’ mental health
Two Hunter research institutions are the first beneficiaries of a new Teachers Health Foundation created by the Teachers Health Fund to promote investigation into conditions experienced by teachers, such as mental illness.
The Hunter Institute of Mental Health and the Hunter Medical Research Institute are each receiving grants of $50,000.
Teachers Health Fund chief executive Brad Joyce said it is hoped the foundation will lead to real changes for education staff in the region.
“It’s to raise greater awareness of the issues but, secondly, it’s to try to identify potential solutions that might improve the condition in relation to mental health issues for teachers, particularly those teachers in the Newcastle and the Hunter Valley area,” he said.
Mr Joyce said it is time that mental health issues in the education industry were put under the spotlight. “There has been a doubling of demand in mental health services over the past five years, among younger members in that 24 to 29 age group,” he said.
“We do know that the education sector ranks number two for mental health stress claims in Australia.” (Source: ABC)