STAFF STRUGGLE TO RAISE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES WITH EMPLOYERS DESPITE PANDEMIC DRIVING SPIKE IN CONCERNS AROUND WELLBEING

A new survey of 8000 UK adults has highlighted that two thirds of respondents (66 per cent) would not feel comfortable raising a mental or emotional wellbeing issue with their employer, and one third are offered no physical or emotional wellbeing support whilst in work write the experts at Nuffield Health.

This is especially concerning given that Nuffield Health’s 2022, ‘Healthier Nation Index’, also revealed that 1 in 3 people say their mental health has got worse in the last year. This highlights both a need and an opportunity to provide people with the right mental and emotional wellbeing support in UK workplaces.

These findings are especially pertinent during this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week, which focuses on loneliness. Loneliness is the difficult emotion we experience when our need for meaningful social contact and relationships is not met. Loneliness is on the rise, with nearly half of the UK population reporting feeling lonely at times.

Gosia Bowling, National Lead for Emotional Wellbeing at Nuffield Health commented: “It’s worrying to see the majority of UK employees are being left to manage mental or emotional wellbeing issues on their own in the workplace. The pandemic has affected the mental health of many employees, so it’s more important than ever that employers find ways to create inclusive and connected workplace environments where people feel supported. Not only will this help productivity, but it will also boost happiness levels.

“As we also transition to more hybrid and remote working patterns, it is critical that employers also find ways to keep their employees feeling connected, which will help combat feelings of loneliness.”

Gosia offers advice on how employers can play their part in creating a connected and inclusive workplace:

1. Notice the signs of loneliness. The emotional toll of loneliness can be seen in various ways, including a decline in appearance and hygiene, reduced social interaction in the office or even in the individual’s work performance and output. In remote workers, this may manifest in video meetings or calls. Are they less chatty? Is their voice lower or cracking? Alternatively, does the individual seem to be craving conversation and contact, or being overly talkative?

2 “Find 5 with 5” Nuffield Health’s ‘Find Time For Your Mind’ campaign, calls for people to #find5 and spend just five extra minutes a day exercising and focusing on their mental wellbeing.

This could include nominating an individual to lead five minutes of group guided breathing, sharing personal ‘wins’ each day over an instant messaging platform or even hosting mini ‘instructor-led’ fitness circuits each week.

3. Communication is key. For those experiencing feelings of loneliness, group video calls and water cooler conversations aren’t the answer. Individuals need to feel they are engaged in meaningful conversation.

Leaders should aim to spend at least five minutes with employees each week, practising ‘active listening’ – a skill that requires a genuine understanding and retention of what’s being said and providing a considered response- this means not speaking over individuals or secondguessing what they’re saying. Instead, take a back seat, listen attentively to what’s being said and show you’ve taken it on board by repeating key phrases or asking relevant questions to demonstrate your understanding.

4. Targeting with formal support. While meaningful social interaction plays a key role in reducing loneliness, formal wellbeing support can also be invaluable. This may include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) that offer direct and confidential access to a mental health expert.

It only takes five minutes to signpost employees towards the support on offer, along with guidance and encouragement on how to access the help available. This may be via email to employees, an office huddle or a virtual ‘wellbeing hub’.

5. Get fit It’s important to remember that mental and physical health are intrinsically linked. The chemicals our bodies release when we’re stressed, anxious and depressed can impact our physical health, causing nausea, upset stomach and headaches. And injury, illness and disabilities can similarly impact our mood and outlook.

Employers have a key role to play in supporting employees to stay physically fit and active. Encouraging employees to #find5 throughout the working day could also be as simple as promoting regular exercise in morning meetings or creating assets to be distributed around the office or over email. Over a week, this adds up to 35 minutes – boosting the UK average 40-minute exercising time to the NHSrecommended 75 minutes per week.

6. No ‘one size fits all’ Finally, it’s important to remember that no single intervention works for everyone. The key to supporting the workforce is flexibility. Employers should also take five minutes with each employee to chat through any concerns they have and understand their healthiest work habits. This way they can consider how to offer flexible working opportunities that cater to the individual and allow everyone to thrive and overcome feelings of loneliness.

Find out more about Mental Health and Wellbeing at the BLS Wellbeing Conference.