REBA’s inside track: It’s the little things that count

It will come as no surprise that the number of people experiencing mental ill-health has sky rocketed since the start of the pandemic. The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveal that nearly one in five adults (19.2%) experienced some form of depression during June 2020, up from one in 10 (9.7%) in the months before the pandemic.

Feeling stressed or anxious was the most common way adults experiencing some form of depression felt their wellbeing was being affected, with 84.9% stating this; while younger adults, women, the disabled and those unable to afford unexpected expenses, were the most likely to have some form of depression.

Global research undertaken by Willis Towers Watson during the pandemic reinforces the ONS data. It indicates a worsening state of mental health among workers with more than nine in 10 (92%) reporting some level of anxiety, while 55% indicate a moderate or high degree of anxiety. This is having a negative impact on productivity, with 70% of workers conveying at least some distraction from work due to COVID-19 concerns, and only one-third saying they can balance working from home and other responsibilities.

Despite coming out of full lockdown, it is clear that we all face a winter that will be subject to many ups and downs, with more localised restrictions impeding our everyday lives.

The mental health cost of this is still a relative unknown. However, it is clear that many people will experience symptoms triggered as a result of the pandemic for possibly years to come.

Many employers are already on the front-foot when it comes to better supporting employees’ mental wellbeing. Ellie Vaughan, global head of reward and benefits at Herbert Smith Freehills, spoke to REBA about how they prevent mental ill-health in a high-pressured environment; while Debbie Fennell, senior benefits manager at DHL Supply Chain, described how they are responding to COVID-19 by increasing their wellbeing provision.

Employers are already doing a massive amount of work to support the mental wellbeing of their employees, but more often than not, it’s the little things that really make a difference.

This year, mental health charity Mind is asking people to 'do one thing'. Making a positive change, whether taking time for yourself, asking how a colleague is, or simply doing something that makes you smile, can make a real difference to your wellbeing as well as those around you.

Mental wellbeing apps, mindfulness sessions, yoga classes, financial wellbeing support and advice, Employee Assistance Programmes, and any other number of employee benefits designed to support employee mental health are of great value. However, workplace cultures that encourage open discussions about mental health (and any other topic), are often critical to bringing all of this together.

Cultures that encourage employees to build relationships with one another, that give time to enable colleagues to check in, and that value the little things, are places that can build resilience against whatever life throws at us.

It can feel incredibly difficult to feel positive at the moment, but small changes can make a big difference.

Mind aims to bring everyone together tomorrow to do one thing to make a positive change. Whether you go for a walk, read a book or listen to a podcast, call a friend, take steps to get support for yourself or help someone else; take the opportunity to ‘do one thing’ this World Mental Health Day.

For more ideas and resources on World Mental Health Day, visit Mind’s website.

The author is Dawn Lewis, content editor at REBA.