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We recognise the immense dedication, resilience, and care that supply teaching and support staff demonstrate every single day.
Working within education is incredibly rewarding but it can also bring significant pressure. Managing classroom demands, safeguarding responsibilities, and the additional emotional load of supporting pupils’ mental health can sometimes take a real toll on your own wellbeing.
This Mental Health Awareness Week (12th–18th May 2025), we are shining a spotlight on mental health, both your own and that of the young people you support, to remind you that your wellbeing matters just as much as those you care for.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Resources for Teaching and Support Staff
We’ve put together a list of trusted resources that may be helpful in supporting your own mental health and wellbeing, both inside and outside of the classroom.
Education Support
The only UK charity dedicated to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of education staff. Their services include free, confidential helplines, coaching, counselling, and a wealth of online resources.
➔ Visit: Education SupportDfE Teaching Blog
Hear from fellow educators and leaders sharing tips and best practice on managing wellbeing in education settings. Practical, peer-led advice for you to reflect on and apply.
➔ Read: DfE Teaching BlogMind
One of the UK’s leading mental health charities, Mind offers 24/7 phone support, information lines, and easy access to local counselling, therapy and support groups tailored to your needs.
➔ Learn more: Mind- The Mental Health Foundation
Anxiety is common, especially in high-responsibility roles. Understanding the symptoms and learning strategies to manage anxiety can make a world of difference. The Mental Health Foundation has produced an excellent FAQ guide on anxiety, with links to helpful resources:
➔ Read: Understanding Anxiety – Mental Health Foundation
Self-Care Tips for Supply Staff
Here are some simple self-care ideas to help you prioritise your wellbeing and build resilience during the busy school year.
Create a self-care routine
Even 30 minutes a day dedicated to activities you love — such as reading, walking, painting, yoga, or listening to music — can significantly boost your mental wellbeing.
Connect with others
Isolation can often worsen stress. Make time to check in with friends, family, or fellow educators. Remember, your dedicated justteachers consultant is also here for you — sometimes, simply talking can ease a heavy mind.
Reflect on your resilience
You already have strategies that help you cope. Write them down in a journal — what works when you’re feeling under pressure? Having a “resilience toolkit” to refer back to can be invaluable.
As a justteachers registered educator, you also have 24/7 access to our Resilience for Educators online learning course, via our fully-funded CPD Hub, which highlights the definition of resilience and the important part it plays in the day to day life of our teaching and support staff, as well as covering interpersonal relationships and the 10 traits of resilience.
Prioritise physical movement
Movement is medicine for the mind. Whether it’s stretching between lessons, a brisk lunchtime walk, or joining an exercise class outside of school hours, find ways to keep your body active to boost your mood and focus.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Resources & Tips for Students
Supporting pupils’ mental health is equally vital. Here are some key resources and strategies you can use:
NHS Every Mind Matters
Guidance on spotting early signs of mental health struggles in children and how to start supportive conversations.
➔ Visit: Every Mind MattersEncourage Peer Support
Students often find comfort in talking to others who understand their experiences. Facilitating peer-to-peer support groups, buddy systems, or safe discussion spaces can help pupils feel less alone.Use Digital Tools
Introduce students (especially secondary-aged) to mental health apps like:Clear Fear (managing anxiety)
Kooth (anonymous online counselling)
My Possible Self (mood tracking and wellbeing exercises)
Teach Time Management Skills
Stress often stems from feeling overwhelmed. Help pupils break tasks down, prioritise work, and use planners or diary apps to stay organised — key life skills for both academic and personal resilience.Promote Good Sleep Habits
Gently reinforce the benefits of good sleep hygiene during PSHE lessons or casual conversations. Adequate rest is crucial for mental clarity, emotional regulation, and general wellbeing.Place2Be Art Room Resources
Creative projects can be therapeutic for younger students. Place2Be offers free resources to integrate art into wellbeing activities.
➔ Explore: Place2Be Art Room ProjectsAnna Freud’s ‘Talking Mental Health’ Toolkit
An animation and resource pack designed to open up classroom conversations about mental health in an age-appropriate, compassionate way.
➔ Discover: Anna Freud Centre Resources
Movement: Moving More for Our Mental Health
This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week theme, “Movement: Moving More for Our Mental Health,” highlights the important link between physical activity and mental wellbeing. Movement doesn’t have to mean running marathons or joining a gym – it’s about finding small, manageable ways to bring more physical activity into your daily life to help support your emotional health.
Simple actions like taking a short walk between classes, stretching at your desk, choosing to take the stairs rather than the lift, or even stepping outside for fresh air during your break can all contribute towards better mental health. Movement stimulates the release of endorphins, the body’s natural mood lifters, and can help reduce feelings of stress, anxiety, and fatigue.
Movement also plays a powerful role in the classroom environment. Encouraging students to engage in brief physical activities, such as brain breaks, stretching exercises, or movement-based learning games, can not only boost their mental wellbeing but also improve focus and behaviour. Making movement a normal part of the school day helps students develop healthy habits that support both their emotional and cognitive development.
We’re Here for You
Remember – you don’t have to navigate mental health challenges alone. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, struggling with stress, or simply need someone to listen, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your justteachers consultant. We are committed to supporting you – not just professionally, but personally too.
Let’s keep looking after each other – and ourselves.
Make sure to follow our social media pages and keep an eye on your inbox, as further details will be released soon regarding our highly-regarded termly Twilight Wellbeing Webinar, which will be taking place in July!
