More than 1.3 million school working days have been lost in Scotland due to mental ill health reasons since April 2018, according to a recent report. The Scottish Liberal Democrats obtained information through a freedom of information request, revealing that the number of school and nursery staff days lost has increased from 172,690 in 2018/19 to 301,314 in 2023/24. Notably, in 2022/23, South Lanarkshire had the highest number of days lost with 27,563, followed by Glasgow with 22,136 days, and North Lanarkshire with 20,745 days lost.
Scottish Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Willie Rennie MSP raised concerns about the rising trend of mental health absences among education staff in Scotland. Rennie highlighted the challenges faced by teachers and staff, from dealing with increased violence in classrooms to inadequate support to address educational disparities. Rennie emphasised the importance of providing necessary resources and support to education staff to alleviate the pressure they face, rather than expecting miracles from them.
The Scottish Government acknowledged the significance of supporting the education workforce and ensuring they have the required assistance to carry out their roles effectively. While local authorities are responsible for delivering education services and providing welfare support to staff, the government has allocated over £2 million since October 2020 to enhance the wellbeing of teachers and school staff. Additionally, an extra £100,000 has been allocated this year to offer wellbeing coaching to staff working in schools and early learning and childcare settings. The government’s Relationships and Behaviour in Schools Action Plan, released in August, includes specific measures to support the education workforce.
In summary, the concerning increase in school working days lost to mental ill health in Scotland reflects a growing issue impacting education staff. Efforts to address this challenge include calls for better support, resources, and a focus on staff wellbeing to ensure a conducive environment for teaching and learning.
Insights and Summary:
The article sheds light on the significant impact of mental ill health on school and nursery staff in Scotland, leading to a substantial loss of working days. It highlights the importance of addressing mental health issues among education professionals and providing them with the necessary support and resources to cope with the demands of their roles. The insights provided by Willie Rennie MSP and the Scottish Government underscore the need for proactive measures to improve staff wellbeing and create a conducive work environment in educational settings. Moving forward, it is crucial for policymakers and stakeholders to prioritise mental health support for education staff to ensure the delivery of quality education in Scotland.