Using CALMERSS to Enhance Teacher Well-being: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Prior research has shown that cognitive behavioural therapy, relaxation, mindfulness, exercise and positive psychology interventions, when conducted as single interventions, have a useful effect on depression and also increasing well-being. The purpose of this study was to conduct a pilot programme to determine the efficacy of a multi-modal approach to enhancing well-being. Five teachers engaged in the four-week pilot programme called CALMERSS. The findings provide evidence for the effectiveness of the CALMERSS programme in enhancing well-being in participants, through significant reductions in psychological strain, physical and personal strain, and improving self-care. Four of the five participants who would officially have been classified as depressed at the commencement of the programme were no longer depressed at the end of the programme.

Keywords:

• Adult depression
• adult well-being
• depression
• enhancing teacher well-being
• school stress
• teacher stress
• teachers
• teacher well-being