As our Mental Health Week, in association with Benenden Health, draws to a close, it is time to reflect on some of the trends and issues currently shaping employers’ strategies in this area.
This week is running concurrently with the Mental Health Awareness Week hosted by the Mental Health Foundation, which, this year, is focusing on the issue of kindness and its impact on mental health.
In recent years, we have seen mental wellbeing and the importance of increasing awareness of mental health rise up the agenda, both in society and in the workplace. The current Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, however, has resulted in a renewed focus on mental wellbeing as employees and organisations have had to quickly adapt to a new way of both living and working.
This has brought a number of new and, in some cases, unique, pressures and stresses potentially impacting mental health. Concerns and anxiety about the pandemic itself, worries about loved ones, financial pressures, the challenge of working while simultaneously home schooling and looking after children, fears around job security and the economic future, feelings of isolation and, sadly, in some cases, grief, are all common factors that are currently adversely impacting individuals’ mental wellbeing.
The challenge for many employers has been how to best support employees’ mental wellbeing in these circumstances when the need for remote working in many industries means the usual workplace channels may need to be adapted. What can be done to replace the face-to-face support and human contact that can often be so vital in supporting mental health?
Exercise and physical wellbeing has been proven to have a role to play in supporting mental wellbeing. With many options around this currently unavailable due to the ongoing government restrictions, some employers are exploring how they can continue to provide an organisational wellbeing programme for their workforce.
As the pandemic progresses and the UK works through the phases of reversing lockdown, mental health will inevitably remain a key focus. So wherever you are with mental health strategy in your organisation, Mental Health Week is designed to help you take this to the next level.
So wherever you are with mental health support in your organisation, Mental Health Week was designed to help you take this to the next level through exclusive insights and opinions uncovering best practice in this area. These included:
- How can employers support the mental health of employees while working remotely?
- How can fitness and nutrition benefits influence good mental health?
- How group risk benefits can support good mental health.
- Parcelforce Worldwide supports employee mental health through multiple channels.
- Clearvision provide employees working remotely with mental health support.
- Experian offers employees virtual yoga classes through the Covid-19 pandemic.
- Kelly Feehan: Employees’ physical health can impact their mental wellbeing.
- Helen Smith: Supporting employees’ mental health during Covid-19.
- Alison Reynolds: Recognise the challenges of supporting employees mental wellbeing.
- Communication and support: Mental health in numbers.
Debbie Lovewell-Tuck
Editor
Tweet: @DebbieLovewell