LIKE STUDENTS, faculty also face challenges to maintaining their well-being!
Findings from recent studies indicate that faculty are experiencing anxiety (12.1% to 32.7%), depression (9.1% to 13.4%) and burnout (34.8% to 47.5%; Melnyk et al., 2023). Burnout and poor mental health can adversely affect an educator’s ability to teach and support their students.
Autonomy and respect within a culture of wellness are factors that contribute to faculty wellness. Consider the 5 C Framework as key for integrating wellness across curricula. These 5 Cs include the CLINICAL and CLASSROOM settings in which faculty teach and students learn, the CULTURE and COMMUNITY created within their organization (at the college and university level), and the CONTEXT of circumstances that influence the role of the educator and the students’ ability to learn.
Self-care enables faculty to be productive, healthy mentors and examples of wellness for students. As faculty consider the strategies to affect student wellness, self-care should be a priority. Consider taking the time to reflect on each of the 10 dimensions of wellness as you review these for students. Use this list of sayings/quotes specific to each dimension to connect with your own health, wellness, and well-being: Reflections on the 10 Dimensions of Wellness.
Faculty are encouraged to use the strategies within this toolkit to create positive connections with students within courses and across programs, adapting and implementing these in a manner that supports students, without overburdening themselves!
Additional Resources to support Faculty Wellness and Role:
Drake Institute for Teaching and Learning: INSTRUCTOR SUPPORT
Wellness Guides for Faculty and Staff [Ohio State University]