Work pressure and financial problems push 237 teachers into depression

State Education Department deputy director Roslee Ismail said the number was lower than last year when 300 teachers sought similar treatment over the same period.

He said although the number was small when compared with the 36,000 teachers in the state, the department viewed the matter seriously.

He said the teachers were stressed out not only because of work pressure but also because of financial problems, depression and loneliness.

"The department's Psychology and Counselling sector is monitoring the progress of these teachers," he said after a round-table discussion on the Malaysia Education Development Blueprint 2012-2025 at Universiti Utara Malaysia here yesterday.

Roslee said the department would also help and mentor these teachers in their daily work.