As the COVID-19 situation is progressing and the Government guidance continues to change, individuals may be feeling anxious, tired and fed up. Mental Health support during times like these are paramount, which is why Care first have worked tirelessly to ensure our services remain available 24/7 throughout the pandemic to provide emotional and practical support and ensure we have every aspect of your overall wellbeing covered.
Whether you are a key worker who has worked throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, or you have been working remotely, it is vital that colleagues stay in touch and support each other through these uncertain times. Before COVID19 came along colleagues would stay in touch whether that be chatting in the workplace, team meetings, having a tea or lunch break together. However as these normal social interactions have been restricted, it is important that we find new ways to support each other. This article looks at some ways in which you can support your colleagues.
Tips to support your colleagues
- Look after your own wellbeing – In order to support others it is very important to look after your own wellbeing first. Keep a balance between helping others and maintaining your own wellbeing. If you are not looking after your own wellbeing it can be difficult to support others.
- Maintain your work life balance – It may be easier to work longer hours if you are currently working from home or are working extra hours due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it is important that you maintain a good work life balance and encourage your colleagues to do the same. Whether it is taking a short walk on your lunch break or putting a reminder in your phone so that you finish on time.
- Encourage your colleagues to use the support available to them – Whatever support you have available to you through your organisation, try to tell your colleagues about it so they also know. It is also key to use this support if you need to.
- Check in with your colleagues regularly – Try to check in with your colleagues to see how they are doing. You may have to find different ways of doing this than in pre COVID-19 times. You could call them or have a virtual catch up via video call.
- Virtual quiz night – Instead of your usual work social events you may have done previously, you could have a virtual quiz night that all of the team could join.
- Group team meetings – You may not be able to hold your regular team meetings like before but you could set up a team meeting virtually at the same time every week.
- Plan what you may like to do when it is safe to do so – You could make plans with your colleagues for things to do together once lockdown and social restrictions are lifted. Once it is safe then you may be able to have a team meal or social gathering once the pandemic is over. You could start planning and thinking about this to give your colleagues something to look forward to.
How can Care first help?
If you feel you may need some emotional or practical support, you can contact Care first on the Freephone number. Care first is a leading provider of confidential, professional counselling, information and advice services. Whilst our BACP accredited Counsellors are available 24/7 to provide support with emotional issues, our expertly trained Information Specialists are available 8am-8pm Monday-Friday to provide advice on any practical issues that may be causing you a stress or worry and help you feel more in control of a situation.
All employees are eligible to use Care first, our services include; telephone counselling, information services and online support. Call Care first on the Freephone number provided by your organisation and you can speak to a professional in confidence.
If you would like to view the Webinar on ‘How colleagues can support each other whilst working from home’ This is being delivered live on Tuesday 16th February at 12pm, please use the below link to register for this session – https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/61077184171919117
If you are unable to join the webinar live, a recording of the session can be accessed using the same link above after the webinar has taken place.