Covid-19 and mental health: supporting your employees

The Covid-19 pandemic has been an unsettling time for all of us, but there are things employers can do to help employees who may need extra mental health support.

Small businesses, in particular, are well positioned to manage mental health issues amongst their staff, according to medical services provider RedArc.

The more intimate nature of a small business means that management and colleagues may be better able to spot a member of staff who is struggling with mental health issues than is sometimes possible in a larger, more anonymous place of work, the company explained.

"The onset of the pandemic and all it has entailed thus far has, not surprisingly, taken its toll on the mental wellbeing of many people," said Christine Husbands, managing director for RedArc Nurses. "Anxieties have been wide-ranging, including worries about their own health, the health of their families, the impact of the restrictions, financial worries, depression brought about by isolation, grief for loss of freedom, the sheer impact on the world and of course those who have been bereaved. Employers need to be aware, more than ever, of a potential decline in the mental health of their staff."

Whilst not a substitute for professional mental health support, small firms have a key role to play in supporting employees who may be suffering with mental ill health, RedArc said. For example:

• Empathetic active listening: take the time to speak to employees, ask open questions and most importantly listen non-judgementally and without interruption.
• Ask what would help them: it may not always be possible to deliver on all needs but it will help to understand their situation.
• Pick-up on verbal and non-verbal messages and signs that something may not be right.
• Be self-aware and appreciate the impact of employer communication on the employee: do they seem comfortable with the conversation, would they prefer a different method, such as a phone call or an email?
• Summarise what has been said: be supportive and non-judgemental.
• Signpost to relevant sources of help, including charities such as Mind or The Samaritans, or employee benefits that are available.
• Follow-up regularly and constantly reassess.

Professional mental health support services are often available as part of employee assistance programmes and group insurance policies.

RedArc urged smaller businesses to make mental health communications a vital part of their return-to-work guidance for staff. Getting help early is key to avoiding a condition escalating, so it's important to remind employees about any mental health provision available as this can help ensure that help is sought quickly.

Christine Husbands continued: "Employees are really torn: on the one hand they want to return to their places of work for reasons of job security, finances, social factors and loyalty, but on the other they may have health concerns for themselves or those with whom they live, as well as being anxious about using public transport and practical issues such as childcare.

"Employers have a great responsibility to ease staff back to work in a way which doesn't exacerbate the condition of anyone struggling with mental health problems. That may mean that a one-size-fits-all approach simply won't work, but smaller employers will know their staff well and have a good gauge about how Covid-19 has affected individual people."

At Fidelius we can help you to support your employees' health and wellbeing. We create employee benefits solutions that are tailored to your precise needs, and you'll also benefit from our transparent fee structures that offer cost certainty, dedicated support and agreed service levels. Get in touch today to find out more!