Research in Action: Carol-Anne Gauthier’s Contribution to the 2025 Colloquium on School Staff Mental Health
At the 2025 Colloque sur la santé mentale du personnel scolaire, Carol-Anne Gauthier, psychology professor at CEGEP Champlain – St. Lawrence, presented early findings from a multi-phase research project funded by the Ministry of Education through the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Société et culture (FRQSC). The colloquium, held April 7-8 at Université Laval, brought together researchers and practitioners to share research, practices, and tools aimed at addressing the alarming rise in work-related psychological distress in the education sector, where staff report some of the highest rates of psychosocial risks, including heavy workloads and a lack of recognition.
Gauthier’s research aims to explore the relationships between working conditions, professional recognition, recruitment and retention of education professionals, and the impact of vacant positions on school teams. Her presentation, delivered with research collaborators Florence Côté, Raphaëlle Bruyère, and St. Lawrence alumna Élisabeth Proteau, focused on the project’s first phase: documenting the current working conditions of education professionals in Quebec’s school system, based on a review of scientific and grey literature.
This review reveals significant challenges for education professionals, including high and increasing workloads (reported by 73%; Pelletier et al., 2025), emotional fatigue, and a lack of recognition - manifested through low pay, unpaid overtime, and job insecurity. Nearly one-third report insufficient support from management, and 39% lack the resources needed to help students with special needs (Pelletier at al., 2025). These conditions threaten both well-being and the long-term viability of the profession.
Gauthier’s research is now entering its second phase, which will involve qualitative interviews with education professionals. In addition to offering key scientific contributions to the topic, the project will also generate practical tools, such as awareness campaigns and research reports, aimed at supporting decision-makers in government, school leadership, unions, professional associations, and universities to better value and sustain this essential workforce.
Finally, Gauthier’s mentoring of Élisabeth Proteau, a St. Lawrence Social Science graduate now studying psychology at Université de Sherbrooke, shows her commitment to contributing to the next generation of researchers, another meaningful aspect of this project!
To learn more about the research: FRQSC project page
To explore the colloquium’s program: Colloque sur la santé mentale des personnels scolaires