The Mentally Fit Leader

Critical Agendas presents 'The Mentally Fit Leader,' a professional development workshop facilitated by Dr Julie Rowse that equips school leaders with practical, evidence-based strategies for maintaining their own mental fitness while supporting the wellbeing of their staff and school communities. With research consistently showing that approximately 75 per cent of teachers report significant workplace stress, the capacity of school leaders to model and promote psychological wellbeing has never been more important. Dr Rowse brings over 27 years of experience as a mental health occupational therapist to this workshop, combining clinical expertise with a deep understanding of the unique pressures facing educational leaders. Her approach moves beyond generic wellness advice to address the specific cognitive, emotional, and behavioural strategies that leaders can use to build resilience, manage competing demands, and create psychologically safe environments for their teams. Drawing on her book The Mentally Fit Leader, Dr Rowse provides participants with a framework for understanding mental fitness as a set of skills that can be developed and strengthened through deliberate practice—much like physical fitness. The workshop covers practical techniques for managing stress responses, building sustainable work habits, recognising early warning signs of burnout in oneself and others, and fostering a school culture where seeking support is normalised rather than stigmatised.