Teachers on alert for psychosocial risk in Bogotá institutions: here is what is happening

Teachers and Managers Face High Rates of Mental Health Challenges

In a recent announcement, the Bogotá Council revealed that the teachers and directors of educational institutions in the country’s capital are facing high-risk psychosocial anxiety and depression rates. This news comes in the wake of a Twitter comment made by Councilor Celio Nieves Herrera of the Alternative Democratic Pole, who urged entities such as the Ministry of Education, the Health Secretary, and the Historical Pact Party to take action to ensure the mental health of teachers.

The Importance of Mental Health in Education

Teachers play a critical role in shaping the behavior and overall development of students. Therefore, it is of vital importance to take care of their mental health, as it is fundamental to taking care of the mental health of school children. During a recent debate, Councilor Nieves called for taking care of the mental health of the entire educational body. The debate was supported by the Polo bench, advisers, deans, and teachers of the medical schools of the educational sector of Bogotá, who offered their testimonies and experiences in the process.

Psychosocial Risks Faced by Teachers and Managers

The Council of Bogotá pointed out that teachers and managers face various psychosocial risks, including stress, burn-out or exhaustion, and harassment, which can have serious negative effects on the teacher and on the educational process. The adviser shared the statistical figures of recent studies carried out with Proservanda, which showed that from January to October of 2022, nearly 78% of handicaps generated took place in Bogotá, corresponding to the field of mental health. It was found that depression and mixed anxiety disorder were the main diagnoses linked to mental illnesses among principals and teachers, represented in consultations and disability days.

Taking Action to Address Mental Health Challenges

In response to this situation, Councilor Nieves stressed the need for measures to address mental health issues among teachers and managers. He emphasized that such measures should lead to actions that improve the quality of life and human development of teachers and school administrators in the district. It is important to note that failure to take action not only affects the teachers but also truncates the educational process and, in turn, the students.