With World Mental Health Day fast approaching, Simon reflects on how the events of the last six months have impacted how we all think about mental health, how it is being prioritised and what support will be needed to look after our own and other’s wellbeing.
This year will forever be etched in people’s minds.
All of us have had to adapt and for some it has been truly, truly awful. As we learn to live with a global pandemic and the very real impact of that on the way we work, the way we live and the way we communicate because of the crisis created by the coronavirus, the rest of our lives with all its happiness, its challenges and everyday-ness.
In reality, all of us, regardless of political beliefs or views about how government has handled the science, the politics and the communication, knew that the winter - flu season - was going to be tough.
The Prime Minister confirmed in his speech to the nation that infections rates are increasing and that the Government would be taking action initially with local lockdowns, with the door to a national lockdown still open if needed, and that we should continue to work from home wherever we can.
For some of us it was music to our ears, and for others of us it is the news we were perhaps expecting, but definitely dreading with everything in between. Either way, it is the reality that we are learning to live with, along with all the benefits and challenges it may bring.
In the context of work, as we adjust yet again, my message to employers is this: the mental health and wellbeing of our teams must stay top of our minds in all our business decisions over the coming months. There will doubtlessly be difficult decisions ahead. Think carefully about how you make and implement them including the support that is available to your employees through any changes that are made.
And to our MHFA England community: thank you.
Thank you for all you have done to support people at home, at work and in your communities over the last six months and for all you will do over the weeks and months ahead. You are making an enormous difference challenging stigma, keeping mental health on the agenda, changing cultures and providing signposting and support to thousands, and I am proud of, and grateful for everything you have done, are doing and will do.
Finally, to each and every one of us: self-care and community care is going to be ever more important. This is the time to step back and think about the routines, rituals and approaches we can take so we are doing our best to keep ourselves well, motivated and delivering in the months ahead. Think carefully about what will nourish you – what you can do for yourselves and what you need from others to sustain you, and create spikes of joy for ourselves and others.
At the start of the pandemic MHFA England produced
guidance on working from home. A month later I wrote a blog;
‘10 things I have learned about working from home’. Reflecting on that advice, and the advice provided by so many different organisations, it really is useful and worth revisiting as we plan for the weeks and months ahead. Personally, if I could legislate for one thing, it would be that we work hard to spend less time in online meetings with our cameras on.
I would insist meetings were all 20 – 25 minutes instead of 30, or 45 – 50 minutes instead of an hour. Of course I cannot legislate, but to put this in context when we were working face to face we would often travel between meetings or at least go to the toilet and get some water. That time was good for us. Fast forward to now and the back to back culture that has built up so quickly in online spaces, it’s clear it urgently needs rectifying.
I would also make the case for keeping the camera off for some meetings, so that we can use that time to walk or move around if we don’t need access to documents or screens. I miss moving as much as I used to, and I know from talking to colleagues, friends and family that many of us are feeling a bit sluggish. If our body is sluggish our minds will often be too. Take time to move and to stretch when you can.
We have a
number of tools to help check on ourselves and to connect and support each other, including our
guidance on supporting our mental health while working remotely, supporting the mental health of
People of Colour and Black colleagues, and our
Empower Half Hour toolkit.
The last six months has shown us that we can adapt, that we can be community focused, that we do care about each other and our wellbeing, and we know that our mental health – at home, at work and in our communities. It won’t always be easy, but together we can do this and remember if you need help the Samaritans and Shout are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
This World Mental Health Day we want everyone to bring their whole self to work. You can download free guidance and resources on how to support your own and others' mental health, including your colleagues, family and friends, on our My Whole Self page. Let’s work together to create a society where everyone’s mental health matters.
Be your whole self this World Mental Health Day.
