Covid-19 presents unprecedented situations for organisations and some have really stepped up to provide emotional support for their employees. We were lucky enough to present a series of workshops on ‘Watching out for your Wellbeing’ to participants in the UK, USA, Thailand and the Far East. It was fascinating to see the resonance of stories, concerns and underlying stress from such diverse cultures and demographics. Taking care of each other and being aware of signs of mental ill health is such an important consideration for us all.
On the back of this we contributed to an article to support mental health in the workplace that was published by FM Financial Management. Here’s a short snippet:
Worried about a colleague’s mental health and wellbeing?
By Jessica Hubbard
While governments around the world work to contain the outbreak of COVID-19, health professionals are warning of a simmering mental health crisis. The pandemic has induced deep seated fear and anxiety, which for many has been exacerbated by the loneliness and isolation of lockdowns. For people with existing mental health challenges, such as depression, today’s climate of anxiety and uncertainty can be cruel and unforgiving .
“Co-workers are in a position to notice telling changes in behaviour and habits that can be symptoms of distress or mental health challenges, such as nervous twitches, an unkempt appearance or frequently missed deadlines when someone is normally reliable.” “Anxiety increases through the perceived lack of knowledge, the more information people have, the more resilient they can be in the face of stress and uncertainty.” "Communicate consistently and listen carefully. Within the isolation of virtual working and reduced social interactions many people hide their vulnerabilities behind professional personas."
“In this environment, human connection is deeply needed – so it is important to offer your colleague opportunities for connection by reaching out regularly and listening attentively,” explained Åse Greenacre, co-founder of MRT Consultants.
If you’d like to read the full article, here it is:
https://www.fm-magazine.com/news/2020/aug/colleagues-mental-wellbeing-coronavirus.html
