Very few people will be able to claim that COVID-19 has not increased their stress levels in some way. Whilst New Zealand as a country has managed through their lockdown exceptionally well, many New Zealanders are at risk of, or are already in, a mental health crisis.
As an employer, it is in your interest to support your staff through any challenges they may be facing to their wellbeing. Beyond any legal requirements, benefits of getting this right can include:
- More engaged staff with a stronger employer/employee relationship
- Increased performance and reduced absenteeism
- Better quality staff retention and increased loyalty
- Reduced workplace accidents
We wanted to share with you some of the online resources that we have come across over the past weeks to support you in these efforts.
If you have other resources that may be of value, please let us know so that we can share them as well.
Just A Thought’s – Staying On Track
The Staying on Track course introduces easy-to-use, practical strategies to cope with the stress and disruption of day-to-day life as an impact of COVID-19. The page also includes a number of resources that can assist your team to maintain their mental health.
BlueSkyMinds’ – COVID-19 Mindfulness Meditation Help
Accessibility Tick partner BlueSkyMinds has prepared a number of resources to assist during these challenging times.
From mindfulness meditation practices by MBSR Trained instructors, links to other COVID-19 specific resources, suggestions of books worth reading and apps that assist. These are all worth checking out.
ILO Global Business and Disability Network’s – Mental health conditions and work
The ILO Global Business and Disability Network’s Mental health conditions at work online course is a great set of short 15 minute e-learning modules followed by a short 5 minute quiz aimed at –
- Combating stigma and raising awareness
- Manager training
- Resonable accommodations
- Return to work
- Employment strategies for persons with severe mental health conditions
Mental Health Foundation’s – Five Ways to Wellbing at Work
The Five Ways to Wellbeing (Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning, Give) are proven to help people find balance, build resilience and boost mental health and wellbeing. The Five Ways to Wellbeing can also support workplaces to meet their health and safety obligations to manage risks to mental health and wellbeing.
This toolkit can help you build a strategy if you don’t already have one.
Mood Gym (Australia)
Moodgym is like an interactive self-help tool which helps you to learn and practise skills which can help to prevent and manage symptoms of depression and anxiety.
With over 1 million users worldwide, it is a fantastic resource to assist during these times.
R U OK? (UK)
This is a great resource for if you have concerns about someone’s mental health. It provides guidance on how to start and hold a conversation with them in a safe and supportive manner.
Simple steps that could change a life.
Heads Up – Better Mental Health in the Workplace (Australia)
A treasure trove of resources for all sections of workplaces, both large and small. Here you will find some great resources for the organisations, employees, managers and even small businesses.
Note: A number of these resources have accessibility flaws. We were unable to find resources that were developed with full accessibility in mind, but considered that the overall benefit to those who could access them outweighed not sharing these due to their incomplete accessibility. If you need assistance in making them available to staff with accessibility needs, please reach out on email to info@accessibilitytick.nz.