Teachers took nearly 20,000 days off in three years in Dundee due to mental-health issues, a shock FOI investigation has revealed.
The absences cost the city council more than £600k in sick leave during that period.
It is understood most teachers who took time off were suffering from varying levels of stress.
The figures show an “increase in demand” on those who work in the education sector, especially during the pandemic that produced its own specific challenges.
Scottish Conservative North East MSP Maurice Golden conducted the Freedom of Information investigation.
Speaking exclusively to Dundee Live, he said: “There aren’t many more vital jobs in our society than teaching.
“That’s why it’s so important those in the teaching profession are protected and looked after throughout their careers.
“The scale of mental ill health in Dundee alone suggests that isn’t happening.
“Both the council and the SNP government need to get their heads together and work out a way to make teaching a more enjoyable and attractive profession and reducing the alarming rate of mental ill health.”
And he added: “We can’t afford to lose the teachers we have, and we certainly can’t afford to put off the next generation who may be considering it as a career.
“And as this research shows, by protecting the mental health of teachers and limiting the number of enforced absences, there will be benefits for public finances too.”
In response, a Dundee City Council spokesperson said: “The council has well-established absence management procedures in our Health and Wellbeing Framework, and we also provide early intervention support.
“There are many different reasons for the causes of stress and absence which are not all work related.
“We work with people to help them with their own individual situation and offer assistance to them.”
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