Returning to work – Mental Health Marketplace

Returning to work - Mental Health MarketplaceSome thoughts on the return to work process. These ideas shared with Rowan HR as part of their #Shedtalks series.

The wellbeing market is saturated at present with new Mental Health Apps and top tip guides. We saw in mid-March 2020, popular meditation app Headspace announced free subscriptions to healthcare professionals through the end of the year; an offer for front-line responders who will undoubtedly need support during and well after the current COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, Headspace partnered with Hyatt to unlock a collection of meditation and sleep therapy sessions free to the general public titled “Weathering the Storm.” Efforts are mirrored by many self-care companies to help adults find mental/emotional wellbeing during the crisis.

In this current market it’s important for the wellbeing and mental health to be focussed on helping consumers feel in control of their health by reinforcing that wellness aspirations are not out of reach amidst uncertain times.

The threat of getting sick during a global pandemic may increase future proactive measures adults take to stay healthy. I think consumers’ priority of healthy living will expand to include protection from illness and mitigating feelings of uncertainty. Post-pandemic living life doesn’t leave much room for avoiding contagions, but I think in workplaces we can help staff to make small, attainable changes throughout the year to better prepare for peak illness season.

We have seen an uptake in our online counselling services by businesses and online meditation sessions for staff and our half day mental health awareness courses delivered online have been popular.

How do we ask if everyone’s ok?

This is a tough time to get everything right. I wanted to say this first as its important we admit we may get it wrong. When we work remotely we can’t see all the usual clues of someones behaviour.

We can’t wait for them to tell us they aren’t ok. Some of your employees might need to put on a brave face as their family might be listening into the call with you and they feel an overwhelming need to reassure those listening they are OK.

What signs to look out for?

Let’s start with behaviour I’m going to suggest we look out for but this is not an exhaustive list.

  • Behaving out of character
  • Erratic or unacceptable behaviour
  • Being withdrawn and not participating
  • Inability to concentrate
  • Withdrawn
  • Increased errors / poor performance
  • Increased consumption of caffeine, alcohol, cigarettes or sedatives
  • Constant tiredness
  • Lack of care over their appearance … there are many more.

What methods/questions/tips can we use to check, when its all very easy to say “yes I’m fine”

I would use the Formscore created by Rob Stevenson from Inside Out they are free to download. 

We need to start by thinking why people don’t want to talk with us.

A OnePoll survey of 2,000 employed adults reveals that, on average, 42 per cent of employees feel comfortable discussing prevalent physical conditions, compared to just 14 per cent who feel they can talk about common mental health issues.

The reasons why people don’t want to talk are: (Time to change survey)

Just because people ask how you are, doesn’t mean they really want to know (54%)

I don’t want to burden people (52%)

I’d only talk if I was confident my friend or family member really wanted to listen (39%)

Always ask twice  here are some resources for the Ask Twice Campaign https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/resources/create-download-materials#/~/embed/resources/collection/11

  1. Reassure them of confidentiality
  2. Listen carefully to their words and tone of voice
  3. Take it seriously, don’t judge
  4. Actively listen – ask open questions, summarise to show you’ve listened and reflect.
  5. Remember you don’t have to fix it

It’s human nature to want to fix things but expecting things to change right away isn’t helpful. It’s not your job to make their mental health problem go away – it’s often more helpful just to listen, ask open questions and do things you’d normally do together

A simple “that sounds difficult” can show you care

You need to remind them that if they don’t want to talk with you right now you are there for them if they need you or it might be that they would rather speak to their onsite Mental Health First Aider or someone from Occupational Health.

Some questions you can ask

  • “What does it feel like for you at the moment?”
  • “What kind of thoughts are you having?”
  • “How can I help?”
  • You say your fine but Im concerned Im noticing ….. Use specific examples to underpin your concern
  • Reassure them… I am here to help you

However if you feel they are loosing a sense with reality , having  hallucinations or distortion of their senses for example seeing things that aren’t there. Seek advice from Occupational Health or seek help from their GP.

Signposts

Your Employee Assistance Programme

PAYG Counselling New leaf can provide this for SMEs 

MINDline Somerset Emotional Support helpline 01823 276 892 Mon – Fri 9am to 11pm Weekends 8pm till 11pm

Every Mind Matters – Make sure all your staff have access to this resource online 

Sleep Section –https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/sleep/

Construction Industry Helpline 0345 605 1956

Some things for the business to prepare for

The interim findings from the IES Working at Home Wellbeing Survey conducted during the first two weeks of the ‘lockdown’ have been analysed to produce a preliminary picture of how home-working is affecting both the physical and mental wellbeing of a new army of UK homeworkers.  

Headline statistics include:

  • There has been a significant increase in musculoskeletal complaints. More than half of the survey respondents reported new aches and pains, especially in the neck (58 per cent), shoulder (56 per cent) and back (55 per cent), compared to their normal physical condition.
  • Diet and exercise are on the wane with one fifth (20 per cent) of respondents admitting to an increase in alcohol consumption, while a third (33 per cent) are eating a less healthy diet, and over half (60 per cent) acknowledging that they are exercising less.
  • Poor sleep and increased risk of exhaustion are also cause for concern. The majority of respondents reported a loss of sleep due to worry (64 per cent); and corresponding increased symptoms of fatigue (60 per cent), possibly as a consequence of nearly half (48 per cent) reporting working patterns that include long and irregular hours.
  • The mental health of survey respondents depicts a workforce with a lot on its mind. Half of all respondents (50 per cent) reported not being happy with their current work-life balance; a third (33 per cent) frequently feel isolated, over a fifth (21 per cent) are worried about job security, while just under half (41 per cent) harbour health concerns for family members.

When your employees return to work you need to consider that they may have experienced a recent bereavement  the link will take you to recent resources . These resources relate to Somerset services 

 

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