Teacher Mental Health Crisis: How EAPs Help Save Careers

At SAAF Education, we recognise the unique pressures facing school teams, from classroom teachers and support staff to leadership and administration, and we're committed to helping schools respond effectively. With teacher mental health at an all-time low, this Mental Health Awareness Week presents an ideal opportunity to explore how educational institutions can better support their staff's mental health and wellbeing.

One of the most effective, evidence-based approaches is through an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), which schools can access as part of our comprehensive HR Advisory package.

What is an Employee Assistance Programme?

An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) delivers confidential, round-the-clock support for education staff, including:

• Professional counselling sessions
• Legal and financial guidance
• Critical incident support and advice
• Comprehensive online wellbeing resources and tools

These essential services provide immediate, accessible support to help education professionals navigate both personal and work-related challenges — particularly crucial in the high-pressure school environment.

Why Mental Health Support Is Critical in Schools and Academies

Supporting staff wellbeing isn’t just a moral responsibility — it’s essential for staff retention and performance. he education sector consistently reports some of the highest levels of work-related stress in the UK:

• A recent National Education Union (NEU) survey revealed that teachers feel stressed at work most of the time, with almost two-thirds (62%) reporting that stress affects them more than 60% of the time
• Three-quarters (75%) of teacher respondents stated they frequently find themselves 'unable' to switch off from work-related thoughts and tasks when at home
• Health and Safety Executive (HSE) data confirms that between 2020/21 and 2022/23, approximately 4.8% of education sector workers suffered from work-related ill health — statistically higher than the cross-industry average of 4.1% — with over half of that being due to stress, depression or anxiety

These concerning statistics highlight an urgent need: schools, academies and trusts must implement structured, professional wellbeing support to help staff manage their mental health, improve retention rates, and maintain high-quality teaching standards. Investing in teacher mental health is central to sustaining an effective and resilient workforce.

The Value of Including EAP in Your School’s HR Strategy

Providing access to an EAP delivers measurable benefits for educational institutions, with proven return on investment and tangible impacts on school performance indicators.

Proven ROI: The UK Employee Assistance Professionals Association (EAPA) reported an impressive £10.85 return for every £1.00 invested in EAP services in 2023 — an increase from previous years driven by:

• Reduced staff absence rates
• Lower staff turnover in challenging recruitment markets
• Enhanced productivity and teaching quality

High Utilisation: Between January 2022 and January 2023, UK EAPs delivered over 1.375 million counselling sessions, with 68% of users receiving professional counselling support. This substantial engagement demonstrates both the critical need for such services and that education staff will actively utilise wellbeing support when properly implemented.

Schools, academies and MATs partnering with our HR Advisory service can seamlessly incorporate Health Assured's comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme, providing staff with confidential, 24/7 professional support. This flexible solution enhances your school's wellbeing framework without requiring separate contracts or provider management, simplifying administration while maximising impact.

Our Commitment

At SAAF Education, we're committed to delivering HR services that extend well beyond basic compliance requirements. Our specialist HR Advisory service provides schools, academies and trusts with:

• Direct access to experienced education-specific HR professionals who understand the unique challenges of school environments
• Seamless integration with Health Assured's leading Employee Assistance Programme
• Comprehensive wellbeing support that aligns with Ofsted expectations and whole-school approaches to mental health

This powerful combination equips your educational setting with both the practical HR guidance and staff wellbeing framework needed to create a supportive, healthy working environment where teachers and support staff can thrive. Prioritising teacher mental health is a strategic step towards a stronger, more sustainable school culture.

Ready to enhance your staff wellbeing strategy?

Contact our education HR specialists to discuss how our HR Advisory service with optional EAP provision could support your school community.