Mental wellbeing support during the coronavirus crisis
This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week (18–24 May) is focusing on the theme of kindness. The Mental Health Foundation chose kindness because of its singular ability to unlock our shared humanity.
“Kindness is defined by doing something towards yourself and others, motivated by genuine desire to make a positive difference. We know from the research that kindness and our mental health are deeply connected. The research shows that kindness is an antidote to isolation and creates a sense of belonging. It helps reduce stress, brings a fresh perspective and deepens friendships. Kindness to ourselves can prevent shame from corroding our sense of identity and help boost our self-esteem. Kindness can even improve feelings of confidence and optimism,” comments Mark Rowland, chief executive at the Mental Health Foundation.
In the context of coronavirus, kindness has never had such resonance as we all act to support our loved ones, neighbours and, in many cases, complete strangers.
See more resources, including posters and social media images, and information to support Mental Health Awareness Week from the Mental Health Foundation.
REBA articles on mental wellbeing and coronavirus
Here is a list of articles, videos and tips offering guidance and advice to help employers support the mental health of their workforce during the coronavirus crisis:
- Webinar: creating a strong mental wellbeing culture through engagement and employee benefits
- Six ways to help employees stay calm in the wake of coronavirus
- Laura Jackson of Credit Suisse on the value of employee networks to support wellbeing
- Five ways to support your employees’ mental health during self-isolation
- How to support staff through the anxiety created by the COVID-19 pandemic
- Three areas of mental wellbeing to nurture while working in self-isolation
- Ways to address social and emotional wellbeing during a time of isolation
- How to take control of your mental wellbeing during the coronavirus outbreak
- Chair of EAPA Eugene Farrell on how EAPs can help at this critical time
- How to support workplace mental wellbeing as the coronavirus develops
Although supporting employees’ mental wellbeing at this time is particularly important as the stress and anxiety surrounding coronavirus could be exacerbating existing conditions, employers must not lose sight of the need to support mental wellbeing regardless of the wider context.
Other resources
Business in the Community (BITC) has updated its Mental Health at Work Commitment for Employers to be seen through a COVID-19 lens.
Integrated and aligned with existing pledges and charters, the Mental Health at Work Commitment for Employers is a simple evidenced-based framework. The commitment has now been updated to reflect the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, with BITC acknowledging that the effects of COVID-19 will be felt for years to come.
Download their factsheet which provides a simple overview of actions that enable employers to support the mental health of their employees during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond.
In addition to these resources and those on REBA’s website, it is more than likely that employers’ own employee benefits providers, be it Employee Assistance Programmes, healthcare, group insurance or wellbeing apps, will all have their own resources and initiatives in place to help employers highlight Mental Health Awareness Week.
The author is Dawn Lewis, content editor at REBA.
