Education Support tells you how they can help you. From a free helpline to peer support groups, they are dedicated to improving mental health and well-being for teachers

At a glance

Organisation: Education Support
Contact: educationsupport.org.uk; 08000 562 561
Criteria: Most support services available to any teacher or education staff in the UK; Peer support groups and School Leader Support for school leaders in the UK only
Support offered: Free helpline for all teachers and education staff, Employee Assistance Programme, School Leader Support,  online resources

Education Support is the only UK charity dedicated to improving the mental health and well-being of teachers and education staff. Put simply, we believe that better mental health leads to better education.

We know from our Teacher Wellbeing Index that many teachers continue to experience symptoms of anxiety and depression. Our 2021 report revealed that:

  • 77% experienced symptoms of poor mental health due to their work.
  • 72% are stressed (rising to 84% for senior leaders).
  • 42% think their organisation’s culture has a negative impact on their well-being.

A woman walks over a bridge supported by giant hands

Source: © Trina Dalziel/Ikon Images

Feeling burned out, overwhelmed, or recently bereaved? There’s support at hand

What support can I get?

We support individuals and help schools, colleges and universities to improve the mental health and well-being of their staff through our services that include:

Free helpline and Employee Assistance Programme

Our free, 24/7 helpline provides immediate, confidential emotional support to teachers and education staff on 08000 562 561 during a crisis. We also provide an Employee Assistance Programme for schools looking to invest in the long-term well-being of their leaders, line managers and all education staff.

School Leader Support

We know chemistry teachers are at particular risk of working long hours alone in the lab, and this can often increase when taking on a more senior role. We offer free services to headteachers and deputy headteachers, including online facilitated peer support groups which provide a space where you can reflect on the issues you are facing with others who understand.

Resources and research

Our brand-new website features specialist articles, videos and guides to help teachers and organisations with mental health and wellbeing. Our resources are expert-led and free to access, covering topics from burnout to bereavement. We also publish comprehensive and robust research, such as our annual TWIX report which provides an insight into the mental health and well-being of over 3000 teachers and education staff in the UK. This allows us to advocate for changes in government policy for the benefit of the education workforce.

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