"I have been teaching PE in a secondary school in the Rhondda valley for 11 years and I really love my job, but recently I've been dreading going into school. I used to be friends with two other male teachers and we would spend all of our free time together in the staffroom or after work. Even our families had become friends.

Then my wife and split up and their behaviour changed. They no longer wanted to spend time with me and would leave me out of conversations. They started to criticise my work and would move away from me whenever I came into the staffroom.

It sounds ridiculous for a grown man, but I started losing sleep about it, wondering what they would say about me. I couldn't eat because I was afraid of what comments they would make and in the end I stopped going into the staffroom completely. They are so popular that this only made things worse and damaged my relationships with other colleagues and senior managers, but I couldn't face seeing them. I didn't know what to do. There was no way out."

Peter decided to call the Teacher Support Network.

When Peter called the Teacher Support Network Support Line, his call was answered by a trained coach, who encouraged him to take a step back from the situation and explore the options available:

• The coach identified that the bullying began at the time of the divorce and that the relationship had been good until then.
• The coach asked Peter to explore the link between the divorce and the bullying.
• The coach asked Peter to explore the possibility that his colleagues were not deliberately ignoring him and to think of other explanations for their behaviour
• The coach suggested Peter seek medical advice regarding his lack of sleep and loss of appetite.

At the end of the session Peter realised that their could be a different explanation for his colleagues sudden change in behaviour and how he was experiencing the situation. Peter decided to talk to his colleagues about his concerns and to make an appointment with his GP.

Since talking to his coach Peter has a clear plan of action and finally sees a way out of his situation.

Teacher Support Network can only help teachers like Peter, thanks to the support of donors.  Just £5 could help to provide online support to those under pressure becuase of work or personal commitments.  To find out more, click here.

*Peter's story is based on real events