Tomorrow Woman and Tomorrow Man acknowledge that our offices are on the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nations.
Empowering Educators: The Vital Role of Mental Wellbeing Training for Teachers
Equipping teachers with mental health training is crucial, as many feel unprepared to support students struggling with mental health issues. Additional training not only boosts teachers' confidence but also ensures that students receive the necessary support.
August 2, 2024
Support from a caring teacher can make a huge difference to a young person struggling with poor mental health.
But, we don’t always know the right thing to say when a student’s struggling. It can be hard to get them to open up about their challenges.
Mental health training for teachers plays a vital role in helping them to identify, understand and support students who may be struggling. And, it gives them more confidence to bring up the topic in the classroom.
The Mental Health Crisis in Australia’s Schools
Students’ mental health is a major concern for Australian teachers. Only one in three believes that students at their school are mentally healthy.
Teachers aren’t wrong. In the last 12 months alone, almost half of young women aged 16–24 have struggled with a mental health disorder. Young Australians are increasingly lonely, distressed and anxious.
Worries about the future, social media and screen time, gender-based violence and intimidation: these are all contributing to poor mental health. A global study shows that Australian teenagers are more likely to feel bullied and unsafe at school. Sadly, girls are less likely to feel safe compared to boys.
One recent Australian study based on 20 years of data suggests that this will not be a temporary issue. Young people today will likely struggle with their mental health for years to come, unless we find ways to support them.
How Teachers Can Support Students
School can definitely be a trigger for mental health struggles, but it can also be a safe place.
When students feel supported by their teachers, it can really make a difference. Teachers are usually the first to notice changes in how students behave and can spot early signs of anxiety or depression. That’s why mental health training is so important.
With the right training, teachers can foster an environment where students feel safe to speak up. They can promote open discussions about mental health, letting students know that it’s okay to talk about their emotions and ask for help.
Creating a safe space ensures that students get the support they need before their mental health becomes a bigger issue.
Why Run Mental Health Courses for Teachers?
We know that teachers are often the first to respond when students have a mental health issue at school. Both concerned school staff and studies show that teachers double as mental health first responders.
Those studies also show that teachers often feel unprepared for this responsibility. They really want more training on how to support students with mental health issues. This training would not only help teachers feel more confident but also ensure their students get the support they truly need.
Without it, well-meaning teachers might unintentionally make things worse. For instance, if a student dealing with severe exam anxiety goes to their teacher for advice, the teacher might suggest a problem-solving approach, like creating a study plan.
While this could work for some students, it might not be the best fit for someone with generalised anxiety disorder. That student might actually need encouragement to seek mental health support for symptoms like panic attacks and intrusive thoughts.
With mental health training, the teacher may be better able to recognise this. And, they would know where to send their student to get support. As a result, the student could find the support they need to manage their anxiety and approach future tests in a healthier way.
Mental health courses for teachers equip staff with the background knowledge, skills and self-confidence to provide better mental health support.
Mental Health Training for Teachers: What to Consider
When looking for mental health workshops for teachers, it’s worth asking some questions: What challenges are your teachers facing? What are their students most struggling with? And where do they feel least informed or prepared?
Does the training you’re looking at reflect what Australian teenagers experience on a daily basis? Is it inclusive? Are the providers up to date on modern-day issues, like gender-based stereotypes, online harassment and climate anxiety?
Where does this training fit in your mental health first aid strategy? Will it be focused on prevention or on resources for responding to mental health crises?
Ideally, your mental health strategy will look at the full spectrum of needs: prevention, early intervention, crisis response and providing ongoing support. But, you may need to sign up for different mental health workshops and resources to provide all this training. Often, mental health teacher training will specialise in a specific area.
How will the training be delivered? Can you choose between an in-person or online workshop? Are there going to be hands-on or interactive elements? Is there a practical focus?
How can you ensure that your teacher training program is ongoing? What can you do to continue providing support for your teachers after the training is over?
How Our Teacher Training Program Supports Schools
Here at Tomorrow Woman, we run workshops for school students, parents and teachers. Our teacher training module provides teachers with a toolkit to talk to students about difficult topics, such as mental health, bullying and body image.
We’re not about lecturing workshop participants. With 15 years of experience working with tens of thousands of young people, plus the passion and expertise of our teachers, we like to start with a conversation and dive into activities that help us understand what young people are facing today. By the end of our workshops, participants often say they feel more confident connecting with their students.
As one participant said, Tomorrow Woman Teacher Training is “so different from other workshops. Fun and not dry at all.”
Find out more about our workshops.
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Tomorrow Woman is a social enterprise in partnership with Tomorrow Man and Tomorrow Architects. Our offices are located in Sydney and Melbourne – and we travel everywhere across Australia.
Acknowledgement of Country
We respectfully acknowledge the first custodians of the land on which we live and work, the Wurrundjeri People of the Kulin Nation. We pay respects to Elders past, present and emerging and to all First Nations People. Sovereignty was never ceded and treaties were never signed.
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