The Importance of Good Mental Health and Wellbeing for ECTs

Starting a teaching career can be an exciting yet challenging time. Early Career Teachers (ECTs) enter the profession full of passion and energy, eager to make a difference in the lives of their pupils. However, the demands of the job, including managing workloads, dealing with challenging behaviour, and navigating new environments, can take a toll on their mental health and wellbeing. For ECTs, maintaining good mental health is not just important—it is essential for long-term success and personal fulfilment in the profession.

Prioritising mental health allows ECTs to develop sustainable work habits early on, helping them stay in the profession longer and with more energy. Maintaining good mental health is essential for personal wellbeing and professional success and by adopting positive mental health strategies from the beginning, ECTs can not only survive but thrive in their teaching careers. Equally, schools must recognise the importance of supporting the wellbeing of their new teachers to ensure they stay motivated, engaged, and capable of providing the best education possible for their pupils.

Wellbeing is not a luxury—it's a necessity for a sustainable, fulfilling career in teaching. If not managed carefully, the demands of a new role can lead to stress and, over time, burnout. Burnout is not just about feeling exhausted; it can lead to disillusionment with the profession, and for some, it may result in leaving teaching altogether. 

In the UK, a significant number of early career teachers (ECTs) leave the profession within the first few years. Data indicates that approximately 23% of teachers leave within three years of qualifying, and this figure rises to about 31% after five years. The reasons for this attrition are largely linked to high workload, challenging pupil behaviour, and inadequate support systems.

This high turnover highlights the need for better mental health support and workload management for new teachers. Programmes like the Early Career Framework (ECF), introduced in 2021, aim to address these challenges by offering structured support and mentoring during the first two years. However, retention remains a major issue, and more needs to be done to ensure that ECTs can thrive in the long term. 

- Seek support

- Manage workload

- Practice self-care

- Reflect & adjust

At Still Human, our experienced team of education professionals can help guide ECTs through their first years in the classroom giving practical solutions to managing their mental wellbeing. Contact us at info@stillhuman.co.uk to find out how we can help you to support your ECTs to navigate the start of their professional journey.