The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and to identify the occupational risk factors of both psychiatric disorders and psychological distress for public school teachers in France depending on their teaching level. A survey was carried out on teachers aged 20–60 (N=3586). Some teaching levels, depending on the teacher's gender, were found to be at a higher risk of mental health problems. The main occupational risk factors identified were lack of support from colleagues, and to a lesser extent, depending on the mental health problem, the fear of physical or verbal abuse and the reasons the teaching profession was chosen.