[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]In Maryland—where the TruHealing Centers headquarters is located—Governor Hogan recently announced schools will stay closed the rest of the school year. All but two states have made the same call, either by state order or recommendation.
The transition to online courses hasn’t always gone smoothly. A lot of schools and students don’t have the proper resources. Here in Baltimore, around a quarter of homes don’t have an Internet connection. Teachers—who are ultimately responsible for students’ classroom experience—now have an added stress.
The job can already be stressful. One survey of 30,000 teachers found that 89% reported having felt enthusiastic at the beginning of their teaching career, while only 15% said they felt the same way at the time of the survey. In 2015, the American Federation of Teachers reported that 78% of teachers felt emotionally and physically exhausted at the end of the day. There’s also the potential for compassion fatigue, which can be experienced by people in caregiving positions who take on the stress of those they are helping.
This new world we’re living in can exacerbate teachers’ exhaustion. I have some friends who are educators; almost all told me they’re spending more time than usual working outside of class hours. Most of them said the transition has been stressful.
It’s always hard to get used to a new way of doing things. In this case, they had to do so very quickly—and during a crisis.
Teachers may also worry about their students’ well-being. It might feel harder to help students with specific struggles. There’s a lot that can be communicated or perceived in person that doesn’t translate through video.
And with schools remaining closed the rest of the year, those who have—or are at risk for developing—Substance Use Disorders face more time at home. More at-home time means increased risk of drinking or using. Isolation and stress are a bad mix for people with an addiction.
I know essential employees are those that have to physically be in work right now. But when you think of what the word “essential” means, teachers’ jobs are essential. Their mental health and well-being are too.
If you are a teacher struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder during this crisis, there is hope. TruHealing Centers is open and here for you. All of our facilities are receiving hospital-grade sanitization, and we are offering telehealth options, so that you can feel safe receiving treatment. At all of our recovery centers across the country, we provide you with the tools you need to thrive in long-term recovery. Call an admissions specialist at 410-593-0005.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
