Help Team Mental Health In Cost Of Living Crisis

The cost-of-living crisis can take its toll on our mental health. Here’s how to support your team during this time.

When you hear the words “cost-of-living crisis”, you probably think about soaring food prices and utility bills, right?  
 
We can get so caught up in how it impacts our bank balance, but it can have an effect on our mental health too – anything from stress, anxiety, and burnout to depression.
 
With many people working remotely, and the working day feeling like its busier than ever, it can be tough to keep track of your own mental health, as well as supporting the health of your team. So, we’ve picked out some digital tools that can help.
 

Get guidance from mental health charities 

 
Great places to turn to for free information are charities like Mind and Time to Change. You can find things like guidance on talking about mental health at work and downloadable toolkits to help you approach it in a sensitive way.
 

Invest in mental health first aid training

 
Have you got a First Aid certificate? A lot of people do. However, that’s not always the case when it comes to having a Mental Health First Aid certificate.
 
Mental Health First Aid training gives you the skills to spot the signs and symptoms of mental health issues, to give non-judgmental support and understand when and how to guide a person to seek professional help. St John Ambulance, for example, has courses to suit all needs and locations. 
 

Find the right employee wellness tools  

 
Does your team use Slack to send instant messages? If so, Kona could be a great add-on option for your business. It acts as a virtual ‘wellbeing officer’, by checking in on team members to understand their stress and burnout levels. If you’re not on Slack, don’t worry, there are plenty of other options to choose from, like Modern Health and Lyra which offer personalised mental health support – from therapy to coaching to medication management.  
 
You might also want to think about offering employees a subscription to a wellness mobile app, like Calm, Talkspace or Headspace which all offer business plans. With these meditation and self-care apps, employees can manage their mental health when and where they want.
 

Get talking!

 
This means talking about mental health, from day one. Make it a part of your company’s values and culture, talk about it during interviews and onboarding. The aim of the game is to let your people know that their mental health is a priority and nothing to be ashamed talking about. Make sure everyone is aware of how you can help, and the tools you have that could help support them.
 

Show you care 

 
Showing you care doesn’t have to cost a lot, but it can make your employees feel valued and supported during the cost-of-living crisis. Think about small things you can do to help them out, like buying them lunch, or negotiating discounts with local restaurants. Be as flexible as you can with where they can work too, as transport can be very pricey.
 
If you’re able to, you could even send them a self-care or snack package, via a corporate gifting service like Caroo. You don’t have to break the bank, it’s all about making small gestures to show you understand times are tight, and that you’re there for them. 
 
Your team’s wellness is crucial to your business’ success. The reality is that all businesses of all sizes are busy, but it’s important to give mental health support the attention it deserves. Luckily, there are tools, charities, and advice out there to help you help them get through these tricky times. The result? Healthy and happy employees, less sick days, better work, improved employee retention – the list goes on!

Not sure where to start? Chat to our V-Hub Digital Advisers for free guidance.