Men’s Mental Health Month: Education Sector Insights
With Men’s Mental Health Month, Movember, and International Men’s Day spotlighting men in our society, November is an exciting month. Thanks to these initiatives, there’s a growing recognition of the importance of men’s mental wellbeing, but many still experience stigma and societal pressures to appear a certain way in the face of life’s challenges.
“Ask for help if you need it, you won’t get a medal for working yourself into ill health.”
Men working in nurturing professions, such as teaching, often grapple with unique stressors that are rarely discussed. To honour this month’s initiatives and spotlight these challenges, we spoke to Iain Wilby, a Year 6 Teacher in the North of England, to get an inside perspective on men’s mental health in the education system.
Check out the Q&A below:
So, Iain, what motivated you to pursue a career in teaching?
I wanted a career in which I knew I would make a difference. I never had a passion for one particular subject so primary teaching offered the chance to do all curricular topics. I’ve been a teacher for 22 years now.
Do you feel there are expectations that are specific to male teachers?
I have always been asked when I am going to be a headteacher. Senior leadership has never appealed to me as it would take me away from the classroom.
Teaching can be emotionally demanding; how do you take care of your mental health amidst the pressures and stresses of the job?
It took many years before I got my work/life balance right. Now I try not to take work home where possible which gives me time to pursue my hobbies and sport.
Have you noticed any changes in the support systems available for teachers’ mental health?
We have access to counselling sessions if we’d like them. I feel supported at school.
What advice would you give to other males considering a career in education, particularly in terms of maintaining a decent work-life balance?
Don’t reinvent the wheel. Tweak lesson plans to suit the needs of your class. Have good time management. Ask for help if you need it, you won’t get a medal for working yourself into ill health.
If you feel comfortable to share, how have you found ways to maintain that balance, and do you have specific practices that help?
Accept that you will always have things on your to do list and you will never ‘finish’ your work. Know when to take a break from (thinking about) work and don’t prioritise school over family time.
Men’s mental health in teaching can sometimes be a quieter topic. Do you think there are unique mental health challenges that men face in this profession or field?
Only in that there are less males to talk to about specific things within school. It is a unique working environment in that respect.
In your experience, are there any specific resources, policies, or changes that you think have benefited male teachers in terms of their mental wellness and wellbeing?
I’m not aware of anything which has, but I feel fortunate that I haven’t had to access support which would support my mental wellbeing. Support from amazing colleagues has been the main thing.
In a female-dominated profession such as teaching, there are certainly some unique challenges facing male practitioners. Iain’s invaluable insights into managing workload and maintaining good mental health remind us that seeking help is a sign of strength and that prioritising well-being benefits both individuals as well as the communities they serve.
By amplifying voices like Iain’s, we can support those looking to enter the education industry, or even those who may have been in it for a long time and find themselves resonating with the challenges men face regarding their mental health.
Inspired by Iain’s classroom career? Why not kickstart your own with one of our courses?
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