Compared to other professions, teachers experience double the amount of stress, anxiety, fatigue and burnout (International Journal of Educational Research, 2020).
As a counsellor, I have seen an increase in the number of teachers working internationally who are suffering from mental health issues. While the challenges of Covid greatly impacted teachers, schools have long since re-opened their doors. Still, there continues to be an uptake in the number of teachers in need of professional help for their mental health. This got me curious about why so many of my clients are from the teaching profession.
In this article, I will offer several reasons why there has been a continued escalation of teachers seeking counselling. My hypotheses have been formed by my own experiences of teaching for nearly 3 decades in international schools before switching to a career in counselling. Moreover, I will explore ways to maintain good mental and physical health while coping with the demands of the profession. My work with teachers over the years has focused on this goal with positive results.
The Hidden Strain: Understanding Mental Health Challenges Among International Educators
International educators often face unique pressures that contribute to poor mental health. Among the most significant challenges is the intense pressure from parents, school boards, and administrators to produce outstanding academic outcomes.
With many families aiming to secure spots for their children in elite universities worldwide, educators frequently work long hours—nights and weekends included—to meet expectations through rigorous lesson planning and meticulous grading.
In international schools, where parents are also paying customers, expectations often surpass those found in public or state-run institutions. Beyond academics, many parents view extracurricular offerings as essential, placing further demands on teachers to lead after-school clubs, sports, and events. These additional responsibilities contribute to growing levels of physical and emotional fatigue among faculty members.
Communication expectations also weigh heavily on teachers. Parents now expect prompt replies to emails and often request face-to-face meetings to voice concerns or complaints. Teachers are usually required to respond within 24 hours and to schedule these meetings outside of teaching hours. Composing thoughtful responses to sensitive emails and holding individual conferences extends the workday and increases emotional strain.
While professional development is a valuable benefit of working at international schools, it can also become a source of stress. Sessions frequently take place after school or on weekends, cutting into personal time.
Moreover, educators are often asked to lead PD sessions for colleagues, requiring them to prepare content during their free time—further blurring the boundary between work and life, and intensifying feelings of overwhelm.
Social isolation is another factor affecting many international teachers, particularly those living abroad without close friends or family. For some, overworking becomes a coping mechanism to avoid feelings of loneliness. However, this habit often leads to burnout, manifesting in both physical and mental exhaustion.
The Importance Of Work-Life Balance
Maintaining a work-life balance is the key to managing the challenges that many international educators face. Without this balance, burn-out is likely to take place.
According to Psychology Today, “Burn-out is a state of emotional, mental, and often physical exhaustion brought on by prolonged or repeated stress”.
Avoiding burn-out is not only important to one’s mental and physical health, but it also impacts the effectiveness of one’s teaching. Teachers who achieve a work-life balance are more energized, passionate, and creative, leading to better student learning outcomes. Those who maintain a work-life balance have greater job satisfaction. Moreover, they find greater fulfilment in their daily lives.
Strategies For Achieving Work-Life Balance
1. Boundary Setting
Boundary setting is important in every aspect of life, but it is essential to achieving work-life balance. Learn to pause and consider your needs before responding to someone’s request to add more to your plate. Doing away with our automatic tendency to say, “yes” will reduce feelings of stress and overwhelm. You might be surprised at the acceptance from others around making intentional choices about how you commit your time.
2. Identify Interests And Hobbies Outside Of Work
This can seem difficult if work has been your only focus, but try new things and chances are you will find passions that you didn’t know you had. Plan how to make time for your interests and hobbies each week. This might mean leaving work at a certain time to ensure you arrive at your Pickleball tournament or painting class on time. Leaving work behind is also good boundary setting.
3. Practice Self-care
This can be in the form of exercise, relaxation techniques, and self- compassion.
Research shows that even 2 minutes to sit quietly can have a positive impact on our mental well-being. Practice self-compassion regularly, knowing and believing that you are enough in the amount that you do, and the things that you achieve.
4. Stay Connected To Others
Having a support network both in your place of residence and afar helps one to feel less isolated from the challenges they are experiencing. Talking with others is an effective way of reducing stress and anxiety.
Seek help from a professional when your emotions are overly influencing your everyday life and your ability to enjoy the life you want to live. Therapists and counsellors are trained to guide you toward achieving a balanced life, something that can be difficult to do on your own.
Maintaining work-life balance is not just possible—it’s essential. It’s a choice that benefits not only you, but your students and your community as well. While the international teaching environment comes with distinct rewards, it also carries significant pressure.
Navigating those pressures successfully requires intentionality, boundaries, and self-care. When all aspects of your life are balanced, the result is a healthier, more fulfilling experience—for you and those you teach.
Written by Karen Hurworth, MA counselling, MA Psychology and Special Needs Education, BS Primary Education