Businesses face ongoing challenges and continued uncertainty. It's vital that employers look after their own mental health and support their staff to do the same.
In this section:
1. How to look after yourself
First things first – it’s so important that we take care of our own mental health and are able to recognise problems when they happen.
Mental health issues cover a wide range of conditions, including:
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Anxiety
This can encompass feelings of worry, tension or fear. Although it is common to be anxious, especially at times of stress, it can lead to panic attacks or affect your everyday life
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Depression
A feeling of low mood that affects everyday life, depression can be mild or it can be severe and life-threatening
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Eating problems
These emerge when people have a difficult relationship with food. Sometimes this can lead to disorders such as anorexia and bulimia
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Obsessive compulsive disorder
OCD can cause people to have obsessive thoughts, intense anxiety or display repetitive behaviours
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Bipolar disorder
This is a specific condition which affects someone’s moods, which can swing from one extreme to another
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Top tips to manage your mental health
- Stay aware of your mental health so you can spot any warning signs if you need support
- Connect with other people and build your own network
- Look after your physical health – by getting enough sleep, eating well and exercising, it can help your mental health
- Contact a medical professional or specialist organisation if you are struggling. Help, through therapies and medication, is available
2. Tips on how to check in with staff
All employers have a duty of care to their employees and this includes welfare as well as physical health and safety.
Check in with your staff and make sure that they are coping with the ongoing challenges.
- Reassure staff that their safety and wellbeing is a priority and keep an open dialogue with managers and staff on how they are feeling
- Encourage your team members to complete a Wellness Action Plan created by the charity Mind and share this with you. There are guides for line managers, for employees and one specifically for people working from home. They will offer practical steps to help support good mental health
- Provide and promote access to mental health support for all employees. This should include awareness raising, and tools and techniques to manage mental health
- With many continuing to work from home, we know that it can be isolating. Ensure you and your team talk regularly, whether it’s virtually or, where possible, in person
3. Reach out for support
Reach out if you need support for you or your staff. There are many support channels available for the workplace:
Hospitality Health
www.hospitalityhealth.org.ukThis Scottish charity supports staff in the world of hospitality. They provide wellbeing advice, videos and an employee assistant programme.
Business Gateway
www.bgateway.comThey offer a range of support to businesses, including HR advice and wellbeing information. They also have a variety of resources on its website such as webinars and online tutorials.
ACAS
www.acas.org.ukThey provide advice and guidance for managers and businesses to enable them to support employees’ mental health.
The Scottish Association for Mental Health
www.samh.org.ukProviding a wealth of resources for both individuals and employers.
Mental Health at Work
www.mentalhealthatwork.org.ukBrowse a number of resources for line managers and staff and you can search for ones relevant to your sector.
4. Practical resources for managers
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Topic |
Resource |
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Clear your head campaign partner toolkit |
Clear your head campaign assets. Available in a range of languages and accessible formats. They're for use by businesses to support the physical and mental health of employees and customers |
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Acas guide to positive mental health at work |
Framework for creating positive mental health at work on the Acas website |
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Advice on how to implement a wellness action plan |
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Making adjustments to support your staff at work |
Reasonable adjustments at work guidance on the Scottish Association for Mental Health website |
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Guide for line managers: what can you do to help a team member returning to work? |
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How to implement the Thriving at Work mental health standards in your workplace |
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Guide for Managing stress in the workplace for people working in hospitality |
Read the full guide on the Scottish Association for Mental Health |
5. Advice for individuals
There are a lot of online resources specifically designed to help you cope with stress and metal health issues. If you are feeling overwhelmed, help is available:
NHS Inform
www.nhsinform.scotIncluding help and advice about how to access support and what to do if you're worried about your mental health
The Samaritans
www.samaritans.orgProviding a range of information on the effects of coronavirus on mental health. You can call the Samaritans 24 hours a day, seven days a week, on 116 123.
Clear Your Head
www.clearyourhead.scotAiming to help support people with their mental health. They also provide simple tips to help cope and signposting to information and support.
Mind
www.mind.org.ukOffering free national advice and support for anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They offer events and workshops that employees can attend to increase awareness.
Breathing Space
www.breathingspace.scotOffering advice and support confidentially on 0800 83 85 87. Their website contains tips on staying connected and other information.