Effects of a school-based, post-pandemic recovery intervention on Canadian educators

Abstract

Although copious research has documented elevated stress and burnout in teachers worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic, few studies have provided empirical evidence of effective interventions to support post-pandemic educator recovery and resilience. Attention to educator well-being is essential not only to healthy schools, but also to preventing teacher shortages. In the current study, Canadian educators (n = 621) who participated in a school-based mental health intervention program offered by a national mental health organization demonstrated significantly higher levels of well-being and recovery post-intervention than pre-intervention. Moreover, when compared with a control group (n = 86), the intervention group demonstrated significantly higher levels of connectedness, recovery, well-being, and resilience, although no differences in organizational commitment were demonstrated. Implications on teacher attrition and shortages are discussed.