During the past couple of years, things have changed a lot.
The pandemic has changed some things forever and while some things are returning to normal, even that return is a change in itself.
With periods of change levels of anxiety can increase. Those levels are different in different people. So just because you might be coping well, it doesn’t mean to say that everyone is.
Take a moment to think about the people you know, at work, at home, your friends. Some cope well some less so. And it’s important to understand that mental health issues such as anxiety can be hidden from view.
Levels of loneliness have also increased recently and surprisingly this too can be a hidden issue. Just because people may have returned to the office doesn’t mean to say that they may not be continuing to feel lonely.
Some people have large support groups to help them, but others don’t, and some may not feel they can broach the subject.
Talking can help. Not only does it help reduce the stigma of mental health, but it can be genuinely life-changing.
What to do if you notice someone struggling with mental health.
If you notice signs that someone may be struggling, such as what they say or do or how they appear, it is worth finding an appropriate time and place to have a conversation with them to see if they need some support. You can get some tips on managing a conversation here.
If you are still unsure of what to say or feel you don’t have the skills to support them, seek advice from a professional.
It may be worth setting up a proactive employee assistance programme or PEAP. Unlike traditional employee assistance programmes, schemes such as the one we run can tackle issues before they become problematic.
Our mental health practitioners are specially trained to help people who may be feeling anxious, down, or lonely. Even a 30-minute conversation can do wonders, supporting them and setting them on the road to recovery.
Remember, just asking someone how they are feeling is great but asking them twice is the best way to engage. Take a look around and see who you can talk to.
If you want to talk to someone, try a friend or a colleague or someone from HR or one of our mental health practitioners, but if you start to feel things are becoming unmanageable and the anxiety is overwhelming, please seek professional help from your G.P. immediately.