Teachers are exposed to enormous psychological and emotional stress. In Tunisia, their mental health has reached devastating levels, ranging from bullying to suicide. It is time to listen.
Pressure from all sides
Teachers are entrusted with the responsibility of shaping young minds–but in many cases, they work for a system that demands more than they can give. The pressure of meeting academic standards in teaching and managing large, diverse classrooms is often overwhelming. On top of that, many educators face verbal and emotional abuse from both students and parents, often with little support from school administrations. This toxic environment is harmful not only to their well-being, but also to the quality of education they can provide.
Often, the impact this has on the psyche of teachers is long-lasting. Teachers are experiencing depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts at alarmingly high rates. The emotional toll that their job demands leaves many teachers isolated, with few avenues for support or healing. And yet, despite the mounting evidence, mental health issues in teaching remain a silent crisis.
Evidence on mental stress
This development is evidently global. A survey conducted by the teachers' union NASWUT from September 2023 to January 2024 gathered data from almost 12,000 teachers in the US. It found that 84 percent of teachers experienced increased work-related stress, with 86 percent reporting that their job adversely impacted their mental health. The main factors contributing to this stress were workload (54 percent) and pupil behavior (36 percent).
“Teaching is an extremely demanding job”
The harsh reality behind these numbers is also visible in Tunisia and brought to life through personal stories. Donia, a 39-year-old high school English teacher, exemplifies the everyday struggles faced by educators: “Teaching is an extremely demanding job, and some pupils are not making it easier”, she says. “I've been teaching for eight years, starting with passion and dedication. But I've been given a reality check.” Donia describes how disrespectful behavior of students, their parents and the latter’s defensiveness exacerbate the challenges teachers face: “one student once asked me: ‘Why would I respect you?’”, she recalls, before adding: “Parents nowadays are more insulting than their kids, defending their children's bad behavior and undermining our authority.”
The issue of disrespect inside and outside of classrooms is aggravated by overcrowded classes and a fragile educational infrastructure in Tunisia. “Imagine teaching 40 teenagers in one classroom”, Donia says. “With different types of learners, social issues, and disrespect in all its forms, it's overwhelming.” The large number of students per class prevents teachers from providing individual attention, leading to student disengagement and increased stress for teachers.
Donia's experiences reflect the broader issue of severe mental health problems among teachers: “I’ve suffered from mild depression due to disrespectful situations where students don’t consider you as a human”, she shares. “Disrespectful behavior, shouting, cursing, and cyberbullying [teachers] through fake profiles is common. Each new school year triggers anxiety and stress. But the administration still blames teachers for ‘bad classroom management’”.
The tragic case of Fadhel Jallouli
A tragic example of possible consequences to this situation is the story of Fadhel Jallouli, a 50-year-old teacher from Ibn Charaf High School in Chebba in the Mahdia Governorate. On November 28th, 2024, Fadhel took his own life after suffering relentless bullying from his students, who circulated videos of him in compromising situations. This incident sparked widespread concern among educators and led to public demands for legal protection against bullying and harassment from students and their parents. Many teachers staged a strike, criticizing the Ministry of Education's silence and calling for immediate legal action.
Demands for immediate institutional changes
The mental health strain on teachers is further exacerbated by a lack of support and resources. “There should be a healthy environment for teachers to deliver better performance, but the ministry isn’t doing anything about it”, Donia expresses. “The workload is overwhelming, and no support or changes are being made.”
The lack of mental health services and professional support for teachers in Tunisian educational institutions is alarming. Teachers like Donia and Fadhel represent the many educators battling mental health strains without proper infrastructure, awareness, or legal protection. These tragic incidents could escalate without immediate change, leading to even more devastating consequences.
