Mental Health, Professional Burnout, and Substance Use Screening Among High School Education Staff in Jalisco, Mexico. A Digital Survey from 2021

Background: Education professionals often experience high levels of stress, burnout, and mental health problems due to the demanding nature of their work. Limited research has been conducted on these issues among education staff in Mexico. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of mental health problems, professional burnout, and substance use among high school education staff in the High School Education System of the University of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. Methods : A total of 3,333 education staff members from 45 public high schools participated in an online self-report survey between March and June 2021. Validated instruments measured mental health using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) to assess burnout, and the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) to measure substance use. Descriptive statistics and regression analyses were performed. Results: Nearly 30% of staff reported mental health problems, with somatic symptoms (45.2%) and anxiety/insomnia (41.3%) being the most common. Gender, marital status, and job role were associated with mental health, with women and those experiencing higher stress positions showing higher impairment. The MBI revealed that 17.49% of staff exhibited burnout, primarily characterized by emotional exhaustion. Interestingly, the personal accomplishment subscale deviated from the expected pattern. Substance use was also common, with alcohol and tobacco being the most frequently consumed substances. A significant association was found between substance use and mental health problems. Working hours had a weak correlation with burnout on their own, but a moderate correlation when combined with GHQ-28 scores, suggesting a cumulative burden on staff. Conclusions: This study reveals a significant burden of mental health problems, burnout, and substance use among high school education staff in Jalisco, Mexico. These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions to promote staff well-being, such as providing mental health resources, implementing stress management programs, and offering support for healthy coping strategies. Prioritizing the well-being of education staff is crucial for maintaining a high-quality educational environment and supporting the development of future generations.