From the Teacher Support Network, www.teachersupport.info.

QUESTIONS WE'VE BEEN ASKED THIS WEEK
Our Online Support Team are here to answer your questions 24/7.

Our Online Support Team is available 24 hours a day to answer any questions you may have. It's easy to ask us a question. Simply visit the Ask A Question section of the website here and fill in some simple details.

You'll be automatically shown five factsheets from our online InfoCentre based on key words in your question. If you'd still like to know more, just click ‘Submit' to send it to one of the Teacher Support Online Team and receive a personal response.

Here are some of the questions we've been asked this week:

Answer: It sounds like you are having a very difficult time at work at the moment. Bullying is a serious matter that should never be ignored and can have a considerable effect on you so it's good that you want to tackle this.

There are some steps we would suggest for you to start to deal with this:

• Keep a diary or log of each instance of bullying including the time, dates and any witnesses. Keep a copy for yourself if you hand this over to anyone else.
• Keep copies of any emails, letters and memos you feel are contributing to the bullying.
• Speak to your union as soon as possible – they will accompany you to any meetings if needed.
• Let you line manager know your situation, They have a responsibility to resolve the issue.
• Let those doing the bullying know that you find their behaviour unacceptable – if you don't feel able to do this yourself then you could ask your union rep to write on your behalf.

Hopefully this will enable you to take control of the situation and get this resolved as soon as possible. We are here to support you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call us on 08000 562 561 (England), 0800 564 2270 (Scotland) or 0800 085 5088 (Wales).

You might also find these factsheets useful:

• Bullying in the workplace
• Advice for teachers - dealing with cyberbullying

Question: I've lost confidence in my ability as a teacher. I don't feel as if I have anyone to speak to, especially at work and I'm feeling very depressed. I have thought of leaving my current job and applying for a new one but I'm too scared to do so. I don't know what to do next.

Answer: Teaching is one of the most demanding professions so it's no wonder that teachers often go through a crisis of confidence. Constant performance measuring, inspections as well as pressures from the school and parents can have a profound effect.

I would ask you to think about if there is any one incident that has triggered this or if it's built up over time. From what you've said I think you would benefit from talking directly to one of the trained coaches here. The service is free and you can talk in total confidence. There is someone here to answer your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call our Support Line on 08000 562 561 (England), 0800 564 2270 (Scotland) or 0800 085 5088 (Wales).

These factsheets from our InfoCentre may also be useful:

• Creative visualisation
• Staying motivated to reach your goals
• What is depression?