Mental health and older teachers

[TheEmojiFormerlyKnownAsPrince]

Anyone else just struggling. I’m off sick at the moment (not with mental health) and dreading going back. I can’t even look at my emails.

One of the reasons I’m dreading going back is the return to work interview. Like I’m skiving.

But also, just all of it causes anxiety all the time. I’ve felt like this for about 10 years. It never goes away, but l can’t afford to leave. Just so sick of it.

Anyone else?

Do you have children? I’m sure before having kids I used to use up all of my battery at work and then recharge at home on a Saturday (always worked Sundays but at least I was on top of it) and during the hols. With two kids there just isn’t that opportunity: when I’m not working I’m running their lives/running the household/supporting homework and reading/exercising them/taking them to activities. That’s what really wears me out, but forgive me if you don’t have children at home and I’ve completely derailed your thread Your reasons for being fed up could be very different.

I think thats normal after being off even in a supportive school.
The job seems to be one where you can feel the backlog being created each day you're off.

Don't dread your return to work interview if you're in a nice school. We all get ill and morbid as it sounds if we dropped dead today they'd be advertising our replacement within a month (again even in nice schools it's just the reality of work).

Have you got your timetable for your first day back? Could you do your planning for those lessons only and phase yourself in.

Look after yourself

In the same boat here! I managed to leave in my 20s when I had no commitments... feel foolish for returning 10 years ago. Now I’m trapped in teaching by a mortgage and 3 children. I can’t afford to get another job.

I don’t do my job properly because I haven’t got time, I don’t parent properly because I haven’t got the energy and on top of that I’m trying to help care for elderly in-laws. I’ve phoned in sick tomorrow because I’m done in.

It seems a lot of people are the same. I find it difficult to keep up with stuff, as it all moves so fast

Even if you have a heart attack you have a return to work interview. I've had a miscarriage and had one. It in no way implies someone is skiving.