TEFL and mental health

Adverse mental health, whether directly or indirectly, affects everyone. Across various industries and walks of life, more steps are being taken to destigmatise mental illness, which for so long was ridiculed, disrespected or ignored entirely.

A UN report states that 1 in 8 people globally suffer from a mental health condition. The most common are depression and anxiety, with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder and schizophrenia following not too far behind. Efforts have been made to destigmatise mental illness in various parts of the world over recent years, though it still remains a taboo subject in families, workplaces and cultures. 

Teaching is not separate from this conversation about mental health. In fact, a UCL study in 2020 showed that 1 in 20 working teachers in England reported a mental health condition. The word “reported” is key; for some, the stigma and shame around mental illness persists, and the figures could be even higher.

So, what does this mean for TEFL teachers? It may be an environment full of opportunities, but just like other paths in life, it can lead to any number of triggers for poor mental health. Additionally, while environmental factors can play a part, mental illness does not discriminate and can affect anyone.

What safeguards are in place for TEFL teachers who come face-to-face with mental illness? Are there protections for freelancers, for example? What about classroom teachers helping kids and adults tackle the finer points of the English language? 

Knowing your rights

Much like with physical health, or disability, there is legislation around the world which prevents employment discrimination, and this includes the teaching profession. As of 2016 , 64% of countries had “laws {which} prohibit discrimination against persons with mental health during recruitment”, and one-third of countries had “laws {which} prohibit discontinuation of employment”. In addition, the 2016 study showed that 56% of countries have laws which ensure reasonable accommodations for mental illness in the workplace. 

However, to teach in certain countries, you may be asked to disclose any mental health issues. You’ll also be asked to disclose any medication you’re on. 

So, what can we glean from that? If you’re teaching English abroad , it’s worth considering where you’re going in terms of legal safeguards around mental illness. It’s also an important factor if you’re working online - depending on where the online teaching company is based, it may have different or, in some cases, little to no protections for employees in terms of mental illness. 

All workers should have the right to safety and security at work. Knowing your exact working rights and what accommodations are in place is extremely important. 

Medication

Before we discuss certain mental illnesses and how they can affect a teaching career, we need to talk about medication.

Using medication for mental health disorders is extremely common, and is one of (but not the only) the best ways to treat mental illness in many cases. Before you venture to another country, you need to be sure you’ll have access to a specific medication, and you’ll need to know what it’s called in that location. There are even differences between English-speaking countries; you’re more likely to hear the brand name Zoloft than you are to hear the name Sertraline, for one example.

Shipping isn’t always an option - some medicines may have approval in some nations and not others, for example - so it’s important to do your research before committing to a life somewhere else. For example, we’ve read the accounts of teachers from the US who weren’t able to get their medication shipped to China, and we’ve also read about similar issues in South Korea, another immensely popular TEFL destination.

Teaching English Abroad: Factors to consider

We absolutely encourage everyone who wants to teach English abroad to do it. It can be an utterly liberating experience, a way to meet to people from around the world, build your skills and discover what you’re capable of.

That said, there are some risk factors in terms of mental health that are important to consider. 

Culture shock

Everyone experiences culture shock when they move to a new country. It’s totally normal, and there are stages of culture shock that you’ll need to adapt to; from the ‘honeymoon phase’ to the lows of sheer culture shock, all the way back up to the “biculture stage” in which you’ve adapted.

These stages can be tough on anyone, let alone anyone with pre-existing mental health conditions. So, allow yourself to experience the kaleidoscope of emotions and remember that it’s totally normal to feel a little bit out of sorts. 

Isolation

It’s easy for us to say “You need to make loads of friends before you head over somewhere new”. Even if you’re the most capable social butterfly, you’re going to experience feelings of loneliness and isolation when you teach English abroad. It’s common to experience loneliness in a more profound way when you’re in a massive crowd; it’s not necessarily about being alone, it’s about feeling alone.

That can be particularly hard if you suffer from depression or anxiety, and yes, there are some obvious ways to help from feeling isolated. Finding international communities and home comforts can help. However, again, you’re more likely to be at risk if you already suffer from a mental health condition.

Our best advice: if you take medication, make sure you’re stocked up. Equally, as we’ve said, trying to find communities that remind you of home is a great idea, no matter how enthusiastic you are about trying a new culture. Additionally, much like culture shock, remember that it’s only natural, that you will experience it, and it doesn’t make you weak or different - it’s part of being human.

Mental illnesses and how they can affect TEFL teaching

While we couldn’t possibly cover all aspects of mental illness, and all the mental health conditions that exist, we can at least talk about some of the most common. We will also provide resources so that if you think you might be struggling with any of the listed conditions, you can get the support and help that’s available to you.

Depression

Along with anxiety disorders, depression is the most common mental illness. Depression comes in different forms ; clinical depression (long-term and diagnosed by a doctor), a depressive episode, recurrent depressive disorder (at least two episodes), postpartum depression (depression after childbirth) and some others.

Globally, an estimated 5% of the population suffers from one or more types of depression, according to the World Health Organisation . Symptoms aren’t just “feeling sad”, but can instead include disengagement, low mood, inability to connect with others, poor sleep/too much sleep, difficulty concentrating, changes in diet, sexual difficulties, low energy, feelings of guilt, thoughts of suicide and more. 

Clearly, this can affect teaching. Even the most enthusiastic, happy-go-lucky teacher can be affected by depression. If you start to feel a level of disengagement with a class or with students, aren’t sleeping or are sleeping too much, don’t feel yourself caring about your work as much or have any other symptoms, it’s worth booking an appointment with a local doctor.

Tools to help TEFL teachers

It would be a bit nebulous to say “therapy” is a tool that suits everyone, as there are many different types of therapies for depression . These can include interpersonal therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), behavioural therapy, psychodynamic therapy and others. Being referred by a doctor for therapy can either be an efficient or slow process based on where you are. Many people pay for therapy privately, though this can be expensive. As ever, it’s a good idea to see what your options are locally before committing to anything.

Medications like SSRIs can be prescribed by a doctor, depending on the severity of the depression. These can be difficult to adjust to at first, so it’s important to allow yourself time and understanding. However, the right medication can help a person maintain an even level of mood throughout the day and can help long-term with depressive symptoms.

Taking “mental health days” is also important. Just as you would take time off for any number of physical ailments, taking time off work to attend to your own mental well-being is important. There are difficulties with this; the stigma around mental illness in some countries, such as South Korea, means that it can be risky to disclose that you’re having a “mental health day”. If you’re comfortable enough with an employer to say, then you can, but you’re not obligated to.

Anxiety

One of the more misunderstood mental ailments, anxiety isn’t just stress - though continued stress can be a risk factor. Anxiety is surprisingly common; in the UK, 28% of 16-29-year-olds have experienced some form of anxiety. Defined by the NHS as a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, a small amount of anxiety can be common, like the feeling you have before an exam or a job interview. It can, however, become more serious.

Understandably, cases of anxiety shot up during the pandemic, when public health was the most talked about subject. Symptoms of anxiety can include panic attacks (bouts of dizziness, palpitations and an irregular heartbeat), intense feelings of fear, sweating, a sense of dread and difficulty concentrating.

As you can imagine, panic attacks are intensely difficult, and the fear of such attacks can be self-perpetuating; you fear having a panic attack, which can bring on a panic attack. From a teacher’s perspective, it can be a nightmare scenario, but there are a range of treatments that can help.

Tools to help TEFL teachers

Preventative measures, such as therapy and medication, can be immensely helpful. Anxiety can be brought on by any number of triggers, and so identifying those triggers with a therapist can help to alleviate symptoms. Or, an anxiety disorder may be the result of a chemical imbalance in the brain, which can be prevented with medication. Direct techniques for dealing with anxiety include breathin g exercises and CBT approaches . 

Bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and PTSD

Though they’re less common than depression and anxiety, conditions including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and PTSD can affect anyone. Whether it’s you or someone close to you struggling, it’s worth knowing what to look for and how they’re diagnosed.

Bipolar Disorder

Formerly referred to as “manic depression”, bipolar disorder - as the name suggests - features both dizzying high moods and low moods, like those associated with more general depression.

“Manic” symptoms can include euphoria, racing thoughts, impulsive behaviour (commonly including financial decisions), reckless behaviour, increased energy and being extremely talkative. As you might expect, a depressive episode manifests itself in a low mood, loss of pleasure, no interest in activities (both social and occupational), a lack of energy and other typical depressive symptoms. A depressive episode can also manifest in increased feelings of guilt and shame, especially relating to behaviour while in a manic episode.

Bipolar disorder is surprisingly common; according to the UK’s NHS , 1 in 100 British people are diagnosed with it at some point in their lives. 

Schizophrenia

Societally, we don’t speak about schizophrenia as much as we should. A condition that affects roughly 24 million people, or 1 of every 300, Schizophrenia is often mischaracterised as a multiple-personality disorder. Instead, it’s actually about impairments in perception and changes in behaviour, including extreme agitation, difficulty with cognitive functions, delusions, hallucinations and disorganised thinking. 

There are effective treatments for schizophrenia, including meditation, therapy treatments and early-stage psychoeducation , the latter of which helps the patient, their family and people around them to understand behaviours associated with the condition.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder 

You probably know about PTSD as one of the more common mental health conditions. It’s something that develops after a threatening or horrifying event, or series of events, and can manifest itself in several ways. People with PTSD may experience flashbacks, nightmares or intrusive memories, as well as avoidance of activities or thoughts related to the event, as well as persistent feelings of threat and dread. Psychological treatment, specifically therapy, can work wonders for PTSD.

It’s impossible to garner figures for worldwide PTSD cases, but it is especially common (and undiagnosed) in areas with ongoing conflict, and areas with high levels of crime. 

Finding the right doctor

Anyone who’s experienced mental illness, in any capacity, knows it can be daunting to see the doctor. This is especially true if you’re in a different country; you’ll likely have to speak a different language, and as we all know, putting a negative mental health experience into words can be difficult in any language.

That’s why it’s so important to network and speak to teachers from the same region as you. Clearly, this is going to be a variable experience based on where you’re going, and what their attitudes to mental illness are. We’d recommend, then, that you read plenty of first-hand testimonials from other TEFL teachers before you head abroad to teach, and try to get some recommendations for healthcare services.

Getting help

Accessing local mental health assistance can be tricky depending on where you are, but it’s very much worth knowing which local services are available. If you’re working as an English teacher abroad, knowing the vernacular and local lexicon surrounding medicine, doctors and booking appointments is extremely important. Equally, knowing where to look is important; we’d recommend researching local health amenities before you move somewhere.

Wherever you are in the world, though, there is help. International helplines are available, and if you’re an English teacher abroad, you can access English language mental health resources online .

The first step is reaching out. Believe us; we know how hard it can be to explain how you feel. Admitting there’s a problem can be really difficult - ironically, the thought of doing so can be anxiety-inducing. Still, it’s incredibly important to know that people will not judge you, that mental health conditions are widespread, and that there is support within easy reach, no matter where you are in the world. 

The TEFL teaching community can be competitive regarding jobs, sure. However, when it comes to looking out for one another, the TEFL community is hard to beat. International TEFL communities online and in person are widespread and easily available. Once you gain a TEFL certificate, you’re not sent out into the big, bad world on your own; you become part of an enterprising, caring and empathetic community.

Conclusion

Over time, we’re going to be writing more about TEFL and health. This includes disabilities, both visible and hidden - including more on mental illness. Society is always changing, and though talking about mental health is more common in some areas, it’s still taboo in others. Our modest goal is to make every TEFL teacher aware that support and information are readily available.

Normal teaching stresses, like worrying about marking, lesson planning or dealing with specific learning needs aren’t something you should struggle though alone. Talking to your peers in the teaching community can be immensely helpful. Of course, we’d also advocate for therapy as and when it’s available to you.

Look after yourself. As a teacher, there will be highs and lows. You will feel like you’re performing day in, and day out, and that can be tiring and stressful for anyone. Still, you are never, ever alone as a TEFL teacher. 

Looking for more help and advice for both the classroom and beyond? Check out The TEFL Org blog , which is updated every week!