Mental Health Awareness month is May 2021. As the strain of the covid pandemic has taken its toll many have suffered mentally. In order to combat poor mental health people are encouraged to talk to their fellow friends, family and work colleagues about how they have been keeping.
During the pandemic one in four people were suffering from mental health problems (source). Common symptoms of poor mental health include stress, depression and anxiety but can be extreme and lead to suicide.
Working from home
As the majority of employees in the UK have been working from home, some in isolation, employers should be having proactive meetings with their staff about their mental health. This is to enable effective supervision of employees’ wellbeing and to review any supportive tools should the employee require any help in coping with the current situation.
From a legal prospective if an employee experiences a long term mental health condition this will be covered under the Equality Act 2010 as a protected characteristic (under the disability discrimination act 1995). It is good for the employer to identify the signs linked with poor mental health; for example lack of concentration, difficult to manage tasks, conflict with colleagues/customers (short tempered). All employers have a duty of care to protect their employee from a health and safety prospective – therefore managing mental health is key.
Mental health training
There are many useful tools on the internet to support both the employer and employee (www.mind.org.uk). Other options are offering mental health training to management so that they can confidently address mental health issues in the workplace.
Top tips in addressing mental health include talking to your employees. Get your employees to open up and talk. This could be face to face in the office with 2 metre distancing or via zoom. If the employee does not want to talk and feel it is personal – encourage them to seek GP advice. Some organisations offer an employee assistance programme (telephone support) whereby trained mental health advisors can assist employees with personal problems and/or work-related problems.
As gyms, pubs and cafes are now reopening it is a good opportunity to mingle with friends in a different setting but with caution - following the government covid guidelines.
Going to the gym can have a positive impact as exercising can help reduce tension and stress whilst releasing positive mental endorphins. Exercise can also help with self-esteem and may help employees to improve their sleep. Eating well is also key. A well balance diet – getting the right nutrients to stay healthy is fundamental.
For further information and guidance on mental health and well-being please contact a member of the Quest team.
