Why Teacher Mental Health is the Hidden Key to Student Success

When we talk about improving student performance, the conversation often turns to curriculum reform, classroom technology, or assessment methods. But one crucial factor is often overlooked: the mental health of teachers themselves.

Teachers are more than conveyors of knowledge — they are role models, emotional anchors, and sometimes the first line of support when a student is struggling. Research shows that teachers experiencing high stress, burnout, or untreated mental health challenges are less able to create the kind of supportive, engaging classroom environments students need to thrive.

A 2023 UNESCO report found that nearly 50% of teachers in Sub-Saharan Africa reported symptoms of stress and burnout, with many citing large class sizes, limited resources, and the emotional toll of supporting struggling students. In Uganda, anecdotal evidence and emerging data echo the same concern.

Poor teacher mental health has a ripple effect:

• Student engagement drops when teachers are disengaged or exhausted.

• Learning outcomes suffer because classroom energy and focus decline.

• Behavioural issues increase, placing additional strain on teachers and reducing instructional time.

At Twogere, through our Mental Health First Aid Training for Teachers (supported by the ISSROFF Family Foundation, KCCA, MOE, and MOH), we’ve seen firsthand how equipping educators with mental health skills benefits both them and their students. After one training, a head teacher shared that she felt

“for the first time, I can handle a student in crisis without panicking — and without ignoring my wellbeing in the process.”

The takeaway is clear: Investing in teacher mental health is not a “nice-to-have” — it’s a direct investment in student success. Schools, policymakers, and education partners must prioritize it with the same urgency as academic reforms. Because when teachers thrive, students don’t just learn — they flourish.