Managing Mental Health - Practical Tips to help cope with the COVID-19 Crisis

Added by Love Business East Midlands | 23 March 2020

UPDATED: 24 March 2020

As a consequence of the COVID-19 Crisis, many of us are working from home for the first time in our working lives. We have all had to adapt quickly over the last few weeks, we have had to consider innovative ways of running our businesses.

During these uncertain times, as well as focusing on our business it is important that we focus on wellbeing, not just our own mental and physical wellbeing but, the wellbeing of our employees.

Home working, isolation and stressful times - and the impact of the COVID-19 Crisis on mental health

COVID 19 means that we are quickly having to adapt to using technologies such as webinars, eLearning and video conferencing to keep connected. This overnight change in working practices would be stressful enough - but in the backdrop of what's happening across the planet, it's like we're starring in our own apocolptic movie.

With isolation being enforced through closure of social outlets, social distancing being something we'll need to apply for the foreseeable months ahead - people will have huge readjustments to cope with. It's likely that this period will change the way we work and, the way we are managing people forever. Will the traditional 9-5 office-based culture be a thing of the past?

Here are some top tips to helping to manage the mental wellbeing of yourself and your staff over the coming weeks and months

• Bedding in - Allow time for people to adapt to a new way of working -It might take a couple of weeks for people to settle into home- based working. Staff might have trouble in getting technology working and becoming familiar with the various platforms.

• Expectations - Consider the expectations you are placing on your employees. Like you they are probably worrying about relatives during the COVID19 Pandemic and so may have difficulty focusing.

• Clarity – Be open and as honest as you can about staff numbers, pay and other benefits. People are, were possible looking for a bit of assurance that their job is secure. If you can offer some clarity and comfort do so.

Keep your staff engaged and occupied

Even if you see a downturn in business or a drop in demand, keep your staff busy. Perhaps now is a great time to refresh staff training using online training courses, webinars and distance learning?

Undertaking staff training is a great way of keeping staff engaged, building on the knowledge base within your business and, when the economic recovery comes you will be in a strong position.

Maintaining regular contact with your staff and keeping them updated will be a vital way of supporting them during the coming weeks and months. If you look after your employees now, you will see greater productivity, improved performance and more innovative thinking.

We have provided a guide to managing mental health, this guide gives some practical tips on managing mental health.

COVID-19 Business Support Hub

< Back