Fabian Sutch-Daggett
NEWS
Website Editor
COVID pandemic hits women’s mental health hardest, new research shows New research shows the impact the pandemic has had on Britons’ mental, financial, and social wellbeing The COVID pandemic has hit women’s mental health harder than men, according to independent research on behalf of Circle Health Group, the UK’s largest private hospital group. Almost half of the women surveyed (44 per cent) said the pandemic has negatively affected their mental health, compared to 32 per cent of men. Notably, there was not a single mental health symptom where more men said they were suffering than women. Compared to men, women suffered particularly when it came to social anxiety, difficulty sleeping, and lack of concentration. Key drivers of women’s mental health problems compared to men were limitations on social life and family concerns. Women also thought life is more unlikely to return to how it was pre-pandemic compared to men, fewer said they felt safe at going back to work than men, and a smaller proportion said they felt comfortable socialising in public or private places. “The pandemic has taken a serious toll on a lot of people and the burdens have been particularly heavy on women. Even though we all became experts at Zoom meetings, only half of women say they took the time to talk to family or friends about
the problems they were having – and far fewer spoke to a medical professional or therapist,” says Amanda Dorkes, an Executive Director at Circle Health Group. “Lots of people made lifestyle changes like changing diet or taking up new hobbies. These are great and can really help, but if you’re struggling it’s crucial you find a friendly ear as it can make all the difference to how you’re feeling.” “There was a lot of talk at the height of the pandemic about how working habits would be unrecognisable when it came to an end,” says David Cooper, Chief People Officer at Circle Health Group. “But it seems we’re creatures of habit, and most people are already comfortable and feeling safe about getting back to the office. Employers should take a lot of credit for this, both in terms of the effort they’re putting into making the office a safe place to go and getting that message across. “But, at the same time, they shouldn’t forget that for many people a hybrid model of working from home with a few days a week in the office has become the new normal. Demand for safety measures is still high, with five out of six people saying they expect employers to take steps to make them feel comfortable, should they get back behind their desks full time.” The poll also found:
• An age divide: • Younger Britons (aged 18-34) are much more optimistic about life returning to the way it was before the pandemic than those in older age brackets – 47 per cent of 18-34 y/o vs 41 per cent 3554 y/o vs 28 per cent of 55+ y/o. • The same group also had the largest proportion who said the pandemic had had a positive impact on their mental health. • Medical concerns: • The pandemic has left 4/5 people worried about how quickly they can access professional medical advice if needed. • 1/4 people are more likely to turn to private healthcare for procedures than they were before the pandemic, with the majority (58 per cent) of respondents saying they were not confident they would get prompt access to NHS treatment if they needed it. • Willingness to get into the office: • Workers are ready to head back to the office, with 70 per cent saying they felt safe returning to work • Three out of four (76 per cent) said they are comfortable being back in the office. • However, they seem keener than their bosses, with just 24 per cent of respondents saying employers expect them back in the office. • Some employees have different expectations for returning to the office, including the 1/20 who expect to be allowed to bring pets in to make them comfortable in the office.
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03/06/2022 10:06
