Coronavirus and Mental Health in the Workplace

Coronavirus has well and truly stopped the world from turning, and whilst we are all desperate to move on, 'a true return to normalcy is still far in the future' [1]. We are navigating unknown territory, and it is okay to admit that it is terrifying. These unprecedented times are irrefutably taking a toll on our mental health. Throw readjusting to a work environment after six months into the mix, and a negative impact on mental health is inevitable. 

Your priority must be the health and well-being of yourself and your employees. Below are some guidelines to aid you in caring for yourself and your staff whilst working during a pandemic. 

Physical Safety 

Physical safety is, of course, vital at this time. Provide sanitising stations, encourage regular hand-washing and clean your workspace frequently. As well as this, where possible, strictly enforce social distancing and mask-wearing. 

Share Reputable Sources

Nobody is sure about anything right now. We don't know what the best things to do are, and if we're honest, most of us are just guessing how to respond at this point. The most effective way to ensure everyone at your workplace is well informed is to share government sources [2] with your employees. Whilst the government guidelines are available concerning how to handle back-to-work life during coronavirus, you should also provide resources regarding mental health. Mental health decline is synonymous with working amidst the current climate. So, normalise needing to ask for support by making it easy to access. If you have resources available and easily accessible at all times, it eliminates the uncomfortable feeling of having to reach out. Sites like Mind [3] and MentalHelath.org [4] are excellent sources to share with your team. 

Communicate

Communicate, communicate, communicate; it can't be stressed enough. Keeping in contact with both remote workers and those at the office can make a huge difference in their mental and workplace health. The unknown is terrifying, and right now, we are facing the most daunting experience of our lifetime. Try not to make matters more stressful by keeping your cards close to your chest. If the truth is that you have no updates for your staff and you don't know what the next steps are, tell them. They would rather know than not. Being kept in the loop will likely result in staff being less anxious and will encourage better workplace and mental health.

The mental health charity, Mind, suggest that how you communicate is also significant when it comes to mental health in the workplace. They say that 'plain language, avoiding jargon and using acronyms sparingly' [3] is more beneficial, as 'complicated language can feel intimidating and confuse rather than clarify your message' [3]. If you make the situation sound intimidating, it will be. Use simple language to get your point across as effectively and efficiently as possible. Doing so will ensure less stress on yourself and your team, and therefore result in improved mental health.

Cautious or Comfortable?

There is an increased amount of pressure to stop social distancing or mask-wearing. Perhaps there is an assumption that the virus is easing far more than it is, or maybe people are far too relaxed about the situation. 

Essentially, there is now a slight stigma attached to those who strictly follow certain guidelines. If this is notable within your workplace, try to loosen that stigma. Ensure that all of your staff are aware of the policies they must follow within your workplace. Something very likely is that yourself or your team could get lax or overly comfortable if you are in the same space for a while. Maintain those guidelines and set an example. Keep your distance, wear a mask where possible, and sanitise frequently. Remember, you can never be too cautious, but you can certainly get too comfortable. 

Encourage Self-Care

There is only so much you can do for your staff when at the office. Quite often, people take their work stresses home. Whilst self-care seems like something that doesn't concern work, the best way to ensure your staff are practising self-care is to encourage them to do so. Ask them in a one-to-one check-in what self-care they practice. Or, perhaps, share with your staff something you do, and they will soon follow your lead. Self-care is a very personal thing, and what classes as 'self-care' varies from person to person. Raphailia Michael suggests to 'create a "no" list, with things you know you don't like or you no longer want to do' [6]. The "no" list can include simple things like 'not checking emails at night', or 'not answering your phone during lunch/dinner' [5], both of which are easy to implement with your staff at work. Michael lists other forms of self-care, which you should encourage your team to do:

• Promote a nutritious, healthy diet.

• Get enough sleep. 

• Exercise. 

• Use relaxation exercises and/or practice meditation. 

• Spend enough time with your loved ones.

• Do at least one relaxing activity every day, whether it's taking a walk or spending 30 minutes unwinding.

• Look for opportunities to laugh! [5]

All of the above are simple, effective means of self-care. Perhaps a suitable tool for self-care would be to encourage your staff to avoid too much media. Over-reading about the scary times we are in can be a massive detriment to your mental health, and that of your employees. Try to ensure they don't obsessively access the news or social media conspiracy about the virus. 

The most important thing is to ensure the mental well-being of yourself and your colleagues. Yes, you must follow the government guidelines to create a safe and sanitised work environment. But ultimately, mental health and workplace well-being can still be negatively affected if all you do is implement a few extra physical safety precautions. Communicate with your staff, normalise needing help, encourage self-care and cultivate a positive work environment. All of that combined, and you will find that you and your team can handle working during coronavirus. 

References

[1] Place A. Mental health stigma still a barrier during coronavirus: Employees are cautious about discussing mental health at work, but addressing these challenges can lower healthcare costs. Employee Benefit News. 2020;34(4).

[2] Gov.uk. Offices and contact centres - Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19) - Guidance - GOV.UK [Internet]. www.gov.uk.

[3] Mind. Communication [Internet]. www.mind.org.uk. 

[4] Mental Health.org. Looking after your mental health while working during coronavirus [Internet]. Mental Health Foundation. 2020. Available from: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/documents/looking-after-your-mental-health-while-working-during-coronavirus

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[5] Michael R. What Self-Care Is — and What It Isn’t [Internet]. World of Psychology. 2018.