Protecting the Mental Health of Teachers and Parents

Published: 20 Aug 2021 Tagged: allied health professionalscarersmental healthparent coachingparentsSpeakableteacherstherapiststime managementtips

We are undeniably in a “new normal” way of life: new ways of take care of our health and hygiene, new procedures at workplace and learning environments, new ways to socialise indoors and outdoors... And with all of it, the uncertainty of when the pandemics will be finally gone. This scenario affects children in a significant way, since they must adapt their expectations from the real world to the digital world when studying, having fun with friends and strolling at places they like. Their mental health is directly affected and need intense support from teachers, carers and parents, and allied health professionals.

However, what about those ones who are supporting children? Parents, carers, teachers, therapists and other allied health professionals are suffering from the same limitations. Everyone is facing mental health challenges, which makes it extremely important for these people to feel their mental health shielded against those challenges, so they can be more effective when providing support to children. Here is a list of effective strategies to help protect your mental health, especially if you are a parent, carer or teacher:

• Don’t forget the target. As a parent or carer, you are taking care of a child for them to be happy and successful in life. As a teacher, you are stimulating a child’s skills and providing knowledge for them to be prepared to understand the world when adults. Being a parent, carer, teacher, therapist or other allied health professional is not about causing laughs and a good time on a single say – it’s about building blocks for a long-term effective and lasting outcome. Don’t just do things to please children: do what’s necessary for their life needs.
• Take a deep breath. Children suffering from anxiety and other emotional conditions might become overwhelming. When facing a challenge which is threatening your calm and balance, take a deep breath, take some time to think over the situation and respond after getting back to your balanced self.
• Setting boundaries. Sometimes, compassion might make us sacrifice our willingness to take care of ourselves, driving our efforts only towards the wellbeing of students and children. Teachers need to be firm when defining the availability of replying to emails, answering the phone, marking assignments and other related activities. As well, saying ‘No’ is equally important for teachers and carers/parents – saying ‘Yes’ to every request is not good for the long term.
• Recharging time. Schedule for yourself time to rest, have fun, do your hobbies and stay with the ones who replenish your body and mind energy. No one can be seen as a machine, it wouldn’t be fair to yourself prevent you from stop thinking and working only towards outcomes to children.
• Be fair and reasonable to yourself. As explained before, no one is a machine, so don’t expect to achieve the best performance every time. Children can fail, parents can fail, teachers can fail. Keep trying the best but accept when you are simply ‘enough’ for a day, not comparing yourself to other people in the same condition (other parents, other teachers, etc.).
• Self-compassion, always. You can say to your children ‘it’s ok to not feel ok’, but don’t forget to say the same thing to yourself. Be your own best friend, admit your feelings and support yourself with supporting words, positive thoughts and hope.
• Protect yourself among reliable people. You must be your own best friend, but having more friends and people to lean on helps even more. Friends, family members, life partners, co-workers and therapists are the ones to strengthen your own mental health.

These seven tips would make wonderful outcomes on your mental health, which would help your students, patients and children have so much more from you. Take care of your mental health and help yourself enjoy the best from your time with children!