What we’ve learned about mental health during lockdown
As we enter week six of lockdown it has been encouraging to see just how much focus there has been on the mental health and emotional wellbeing of the nation during the coronavirus pandemic.
It seems we have had a crash course in emotional literacy, with more and more people genuinely looking out for each other, government emphasising the importance of exercise for our mental health during the pandemic, and employers working hard to ensure employees have the advice they need to protect their wellbeing in these extraordinary times.
We can take great heart from the fact that overall we have adapted incredibly well to the restrictions on our way of life. There is evidence of greater connections within communities, numerous acts of kindness, day in, day out, and greater recognition of the importance of NHS staff and other key workers.
That is not to underplay how difficult lockdown has been and continues to be for some people whether through grief, worry, health conditions or abuse and violence within relationships.
At the beginning of lockdown Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England produced advice for staff. In summary, the advice sets out the following:
- build routines before, during and after work
- stay connected with colleagues and friends
- keep active and get support from friends, family, support services such as Samaritans, or your mental health first aider, if you have one.
In the last month we have learned more, including that disconnecting is as important as connecting; that video calls and meetings will take over your day unless you put some parameters on them; and that we need time to think as well as time to do.
At MHFA England we have now asked people to make meetings 25 or 50 minutes instead of 30 minutes or an hour, to be meeting free across the organisation between 12 and 1 to ensure there is time for lunch, and no meetings after 3pm on a Friday.
It is still early days and we don’t yet know if this will make a difference, and we may need to make more adjustments as we learn, but it is really important for all of us – colleagues, managers and leaders to keep listening, learning, testing ideas and adjusting as we go.
In April, Prospect Young Professionals’ Network hosted an online event about mental health in partnership with MHFA England in response to member demand. All of us – whatever our role – must continue thinking and talking about wellbeing, self-care and mental health through and beyond this pandemic.
MHFA England has compiled a list of useful resources, along with information about advice and training. You can also email [email protected] to find out about workplace training.
Never has it been more important for all of us to be checking in with ourselves and each other. If you do so already, keep on doing it. If you haven’t started yet, now is the time.
Simon Blake is the Chief Executive of Mental Health First Aid England