Catholic Institute Of Education

The CIE is unique in having a wide access to teachers and learners in Catholic schools in 7 provinces of South Africa. Most CIE Regional Managers speak local languages and are situated close to schools. In 2023 schools in the Catholic network began reporting an increase in mental health issues amongst learners and teachers: bullying, substance abuse, depression and anxiety were common. In response to schools asking for help with mental health difficulties, the CIE began a mental health pilot project in 2023 with 60 teachers from 20 schools. A baseline assessment took place with both teachers and learners and worrying trends surfaced: a high incidence of bullying; learners feeling hopeless and depressed and having no interest or taking no pleasure in their activities; a minority of learners reported not wanting to live anymore. Teachers reported feeling down, depressed, hopeless and taking little interest in normal activities and some teachers reported having suicidal thoughts. In ...