“Ssshh… have you heard those teachers who made students pregnant?’
“Mwalimu commited suicide…”
“Mwalimu did this……that…..those, imagine!”
Such headlines abound so much in our local dailies and make juicy headlines of late. The press seems to be on the teacher’s jugular! Neither call me the teacher’s savior nor advocate but just a guide to the light.
What many a person seem to forget is that teachers are not infallible! They are men, women, young, old-human beings! This human nature, however, does not let them off the hook but simply reminds them of their higher calling. Teachers are called to a higher calling as they follow the master teacher Jesus Christ.
Much said and done, the examples at the beginning are actual crimes committed by teachers and just a tip of the ice berg. Teachers are letting out a cry. We have a mental health crises.
Some teachers are fighting terminal illnesses, some having family breakdowns and feuds, debts, auctioneers at their doorstep, personality disorders, failed marriages or violent ones, addictions and substance abuse, suicidal and negative thoughts, trauma, deaths of loved ones to name but a few. In matters mental health, these are called RISK FACTORS.
Most of these problems are mostly fought in silence as they look for a reliable shoulder to lean on or lack of it. This is but a glimpse of what the face since they have work-related problems as well!
They include issues like malicious and inhuman bosses, work burnouts as they beat deadlines and scraped-off weekends, backstabbing and backbiting in the staffrooms, parents and students conflicts, show cause why letters: then in the words of Francis Imbuga “when the madness of an entire nation disturbs a solitary mind, then it is not enough to say he his mad”
From this backdrop, we can deduce teachers experience mental health challenges like: depression, stress, trauma, anxiety, panic attacks, burnouts etc. It is imperative and very important therefore that they manage these challenges of life and work so well to live a healthy life and not to be pushed to the brink.
Why is mental health important we ask? Our minds state affects our relationships, quality of life, our handling of life’s never ending struggles. We all need emotional, psychological, physical and social health.
Our mental health therefore lies on how we handle our risk factors. Or rather how do we develop our mental toughness?
Just like at the gym, the more you exercise a muscle, the more it grows. Similarly the more we nourish our mental health the more we better our lives.
- Cleaning our closets
Addicts to any substance, be it drugs, alcohol, pornography, bhang, cigarette- need to first acknowledge the need of getting off the destructive habits and realize its consequences to them and their loved ones. This is the best way to start the recovery as you make bold public affirmation and develop the inner fight in you. This will make the environment more supportive to avoid relapsing into old habits.
The 21 day rule states that in 21 days you can easily kick off a habit by replacing the time, place of your indulgence with a better alternative ie if you drink every day at 5pm, go to the field every day at 5pm. It’s a good substitution.
- Reclaiming self-esteem and belief system
It’s important to always remember that as long as the sun rises and sets, that the best assurance God gives you that you are loved, and His most treasured creation. You don’t need 1million facebook friends, tik tok likes or instagram followers to impress or validate you. Redeem your inner man and woman by believing good, saying good, expecting good.
Short story -10 frogs are stuck in a hole and jumping their uttermost. With time 9 give up and shout down the remaining one. It finally jumps out amidst the noise. On being asked how it managed, it simply says “I’m deaf”. Turn a deaf hear to life’s negativity, open your innermost eyes and hears as you unravel Gods love in you. As you do so, ask yourself what beliefs make you? Which ones are true? Which aint?
- Belonging to effective groups and communities
It’s good to belong to a group of individuals who fire up your right energies, rejuvenate and empower you to be better.it can be a group of friends, colleagues, associates and if you are recovering from something disease or addiction get a support system of survivors of your current storm.
- Making better choices
In all aspects of our lives we must come to a realization that the health and status of our finances, health, future, social life are in our control. Let’s seek expert help in all facets as we seek to strike a balance in life.
The good thing with life is its unpredictability. Sometimes you may feel overwhelmed, but it’s always okay to pause sometimes and come look at things at a different perspective or time.
All in all, the decision is with us. It always gets better, trust me. Bottom line is we can’t put our lives in people’s hands but us. Let’s take responsibility of our lives. The definition of adulthood is responsibility.
- Make time for a balanced life
Re look how your life is currently playing out. I insist we also relook our virtues. The society has gone dumb on it. No one cares to encourage good old good manners, fear of God and such like,.
- Connect with your maker
There is a greater force above us. He is God/Allah depending with your religion. Find a group of believers to grow your faith.
As I stated at the beginning, a teacher is human. You don’t need to be perfect; in fact the thought of perfection will drive you off. However we can live consciously and alive and in suck like manner we will impact to our learners the values and grit to live fulfilled lives.
The society is hurting. A teacher should not pass pain to the learners but education, values and hope. A teacher with a sound mental health equals a sound society.
The writer is a team builder/educational psychologist/educator/public speaker and preacher.
You can reach him through: gorbagym@gmail.com or mikeochieng11@gmail.com
Get more stories from our website: Education News
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
