Public school employees are exhausted—and too many are quietly suffering.
The day-to-day stress of managing overcrowded classrooms, responding to student crises, explaining active shooter drills, and navigating shifting demands doesn’t just wear people out. It can lead to serious mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Skeptical about whether educators risk PTSD? Watch this Ted Talk to learn more.
At Vital Reset, we are seeing school employees turning to psilocybin-assisted therapy as a way to recover—not just from a single traumatic event, but from the accumulation of years of caregiving without rest. For some, it has been the first step toward finally feeling whole again.
This Isn’t Just Burnout
We throw around the word “burnout” like it’s inevitable. But for many school workers, the exhaustion has gone far beyond fatigue.
Teachers, aides, office staff, counselors, and administrators are quietly carrying the emotional weight of:
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Students in crisis
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Families navigating homelessness or addiction
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Staff shortages and resource cuts
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Violence, lockdowns, and grief
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Never-ending expectations to be calm, cheerful, and resilient!
Over time, the nervous system adapts by shutting down or going into overdrive. It’s not just tiredness—it’s trauma.
When the Body Says “No”
You may be experiencing PTSD or secondary traumatic stress if you:
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Dread the workday and feel emotionally flat afterward
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Cry unexpectedly or feel nothing at all
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Feel constantly on edge or numb with your family
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Can’t sleep, can’t relax, can’t care the way you used to
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Feel like you’ve lost the version of yourself who used to love this job
These aren’t personality flaws or “just part of the job.” They’re signs that your body is stuck in a stress response—and that healing is possible.
How Psilocybin Can Help
In Oregon, psilocybin services are legal and regulated, and public school employees have quietly started to seek them out.
These are not casual or recreational experiences. They are professionally guided sessions designed to support deep emotional healing.
Studies from Johns Hopkins, NYU, and OHSU show psilocybin can significantly reduce symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression—especially when paired with preparation and integration support. Participants often describe a feeling of “reset,” or a return to themselves after years of being disconnected.
At Vital Reset in Hood River, we happily work with school employees and retirees. Many come in feeling skeptical, overwhelmed, or emotionally numb—and leave feeling open, grounded, and able to breathe again.
What Psilocybin Therapy Looks Like
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Preparation: You’ll meet with a licensed facilitator to clarify your goals, set intentions, and feel safe.
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The Session: You’ll take psilocybin in a comfortable, private space with a trained facilitator present throughout.
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Integration: After the session, we help you process insights and apply them to your life—whether that’s about boundaries, grief, purpose, or healing.
Self-Care Isn’t Optional—It’s Survival
While psilocybin can offer a profound shift, long-term well-being also depends on everyday practices that regulate your nervous system.
Here are the best self-care tools we recommend to school employees—especially those recovering from trauma:
1. Somatic Tools
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Physiological sigh breathing: Two inhales, one long exhale
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Stretching, shaking, or walking after emotionally intense moments
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Progressive muscle relaxation before bed
2. Nervous System Decompression
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Transition routines: Sit in your car for 2 minutes before entering the house
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Time without screens, noise, or other people
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Weighted blankets or gentle yoga to downshift before sleep
3. Meaningful Connection
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Talk to one trusted friend or therapist regularly
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Join (or start) a peer support group for educators
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Let someone else witness your story without needing to fix it
4. Psychedelic Support (When Ready)
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Explore psilocybin as a legal option for emotional reset
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Use it not as a shortcut, but as a catalyst for deeper healing
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Work with licensed Oregon facilitators in safe settings
One Teacher’s Words
“I had been checked out for years. I thought it was burnout, but it was more than that. Psilocybin helped me cry again—and feel like myself again. It didn’t fix everything, but it reminded me that I matter.”
You Deserve Relief
You’ve held so much for so many. You do not have to carry it alone.
If you’re curious whether psilocybin might be part of your path to healing, we’re here to answer your questions. We offer low-dose and full-dose experiences, personalized to your needs.
You don’t need a diagnosis. You don’t need to be at the end of your rope. You just need to be ready to explore something new.
Call 541-645-4485 or visit vitalreset.com to learn more.
