On Teaching and Depression

I’ve recently seen a few news stories about the increased likelihood of teachers having depression during this pandemic, compared to other populations, and I have to really wonder if we needed a study to tell us this. What many teachers have been subjected to for the past 18 months has been a bit tortuous.

Many schools opted for a hybrid version of instruction that did not change the basic schedule, but divided classes in half, with 50% physically present and 50% remote learning, at any given moment. These students would swap places so that they each get equal time in school and in a remote environment. The problem is that teachers were expected to manage both environments, simultaneously, the same as they would a class of 100% in-person students.

I feel confident that any principal or superintendent who adopted this model never taught an online class. Managing an online, synchronous class is stressful and can require more energy than in-person instruction. It is not physical energy associated with walking the room, but it is taxing, all the same. Couple that sensory input and attention to the technical side of things — ensuring everyone has gotten on, no trolls hacked in, documents are loaded up, students are “with you” even though their cameras are not on, resolving audio issues, and broken invites — with the actual physical environment and the management of the class that is sitting in the desks and you have a herculean task.

Then recognize that teachers were asked to engage in this work, and to provide front line support to students who were experiencing a significant uptick in trauma. Mental health issues for students have skyrocketed as evidenced by significant increases in adolescent suicide attempts.

Of course teachers should be front line supports for mental health issues. However, we have to recognize that secondary trauma is real and serious. Teachers who deal with trauma affected students regularly will experience their own form of trauma and will experience their own symptoms.

Across the country, we created these conditions. We created trauma inducing, exhaustive environments and then appear shocked and concerned when they take an emotional toll on the people in those environments. These are not situations of “not feeling appreciated” that can be fixed with an appreciation day, a pizza party, or a jeans day. It is time we take mental health seriously and consider the environments we design and their effect on the mental health of the people who have to operate within them.

Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right thing.

— Peter F. Drucker