COVID-19 has impacted us all in may ways. No one and no country has escaped. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted every aspect of the human life and the global economy (Klemeš et al. 2020). The global response to the pandemic of COVID-19 has led to unexpected reductions in economic activity and stock markets (Nilashi et al. 2020).

Our lives as we knew it have changed in practically every way to the point that life now is being referred to as the “new normal”, but what does this actually mean? The phrase appears to cover everything from the way we live, to what we do and to how we move around, whether that be out and about publicily, or within our homes.

There has been a positive impact on the environment and on the air quality (air polution was higher before the pandemic). One of the positives of the lockdown has been the impact upon how people get around. Cyclists and pedestrians across the UK found they had more space in which to travel safely, as fewer people used their cars for work and leisure.

Less trafiic on the roads, rail and air has had a positive effect, but what about the downside of all that? The economy has taken a massive hit in that many businesses have now closed completely, people have lost their jobs, or perhaps been fourloughed. There has also been a huge difference for us moving throughout our community, local areas and also within the home.

At the beginning of the “stay at home” campaign last year, despite the many restrictions, we were encouraged to keep active and it was suggested that we could go out for exercise for up to an hour a day but only locally, we were asked not to drive to exercise. For those who were able to, this was straightforward. It was easy to go out and just walk. With the restrictions back then saying we couldn’t meet other people even outdoors, many excersied within their family groups living in the same household. Next was the suggestion that people try to cycle and finally we were able to meet outdoors with other households, and because of social distancing etc people met and walked or exercised together. The good weather last year helped with this too!

However, those who were classed as “clinically vulnerable” had to isolate and remain within their homes. This has been difficult for so many people especially those with limited contact with their family members or those with a disability. This has in many cases been detrimental in that the lack of mobility and “freedom” has created its own difficulties. For example, going to get groceries and getting around the store by whatever means people used was stopped as they were expected to stay at home. Online shopping became the norm with priority spaces for delivery being given to the vulnerable. Home deliveries took place and people just felt “stuck”. Without any external movement there has been a rise of people with mobility issues becoming worse as the time has gone on, simply because all forms of their usual out of home activities have ceased. This has also led to a rise in people speaking about loneliess and isolation.

Ways you can boost your mobility gradually as restrictions ease

If you are someone who has had to isolate and feel that your mobility has suffered as a result, it is important to start the process of establisihing some normality for you, below are some tips to help boost your mobility gradually which you may like to consider if you are able –

• Start small and try to take a short walk or some form of exercise during the day.
• Maybe consider going to a supermarket and walking around the store with the aid of the shopping trolley if necessary.
• Online sessions are still running and have grown in populatiry. Consider signing up or visiting YouTube for some simple sessions such as basic stretching, Yoga or chair based exercise.
• Make sure you don’t do too much too soon and focus on “little and often”.
• Perhaps book a session at your local swimming pool. The water helps with weight bearing and will enable you to “check out” how your body copes with exercise again.
• If you are struggling, make contact with your GP who can check you over physically if this is required.

Remember you wont be alone in this!

How have you been impacted by this?

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.

More information

If you would like to view the Webinar on ‘The unexpected affect COVID-19 has on mobility’ this is being delivered live on Friday 25^th June at 12pm please use the below link to register for this session –

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1880750239257466891

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.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. We cannot be held responsible for any actions you might take as a result of it. Please seek medical advice before making any significant change to your habits or lifestyle.

This article and accompanying webinar (in line with World Wellbeing week) focuses on raising awareness around a variety of areas linked to our overall wellbeing including emotional, physical, social, and the community aspects of our wellbeing. A variety of areas combine to make up our overall wellbeing and by looking after each of these specific areas, we can ensure our overall wellbeing is as good as it possibly can be. World wellbeing Week 2021 is from Monday 21^st June to Wednesday 30^th June and aims to heighten awareness of peoples overall wellbeing.

Our overall wellbeing

There are several different aspects that make up our overall wellbeing. The below tips can help to contribute to your overall wellbeing:

1. Getting better rest – During this time of year, longer, sunny days may mean we might be tempted to stay up later than usual. Hot and sticky weather can also prevent you from falling into a deep slumber. Try making your bedroom summer-friendly by keeping it cool with a fan or open window, hanging lightblocking curtains, and relaxing before bed by putting away your phone and reading a few pages of a new book.
2. Healthy diet – Whilst it is healthy to maintain a balanced diet all year round a new season brings new foods and recipes. Take advantage of the different fruit and vegetables that are in season during spring and summer. You’ll be able to enjoy delicious foods such as spinach, purple sprouting broccoli, radishes, watercress, asparagus and rhubarb.
3. Staying hydrated – During the summer, our bodies try to cool down through the natural process of sweating, which in turn can cause dehydration. This makes it essential for us to drink more water, as less water content in the body can lead to various ailments. You may find this handy hydration tool useful – https://www.hydrationforhealth.com/en/hydration-tools/hydration-calculator/
4. Exercise – Regular exercise is a great way to maintain positive mental and physical wellbeing. With summer here we may now be more encouraged to train outdoors. Consider working out with a partner or another member of your household (check COVID-19 guidelines for your area first) as working out with somebody can be great for boosting your motivation and also output in your activity.
5. Connecting with others – is a great way to stay on top of our mental wellbeing. Social connection can lower anxiety and depression, help us regulate our emotions, lead to higher self-esteem and empathy, and improve our immune system.
6. Try your hand at Mindfulness – Mindfulness is the ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us. Mindfulness is a quality that every person already possesses and you just have to learn how to access it. If you don’t know where to start you might find this link useful – https://www.mindful.org/how-to-meditate/
7. Be kind – When we practice kindness either to other people or towards ourselves we can experience positive mental and physical changes through lowering stress levels and increasing the body’s production of feel-good hormones such as dopamine, oxytocin and serotonin. Whether it’s a smile, a thank you, a compliment or larger acts such as volunteering at your local community centre, acts of kindness and generosity can improve your mental wellbeing and help you build new social networks.

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 ‘Top tips to look after your overall wellbeing” This is being delivered live on Thursday 24^th June at 12pm, please use the below link to register for this session –

https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/5662750280917718800

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.

Back in February 2021, a study was launched through the ZOE COVID Study app to find out more about how the pandemic has affected mental health and how best to support people.

As well as asking about how people’s life and habits had changed during COVID-19, they also asked individuals to self-report on how they were feeling.

They then used this information to calculate anxiety and depression scores during the pandemic and compared these to before the pandemic.

In total they analysed data from more than 700,000 individuals who took part. Here’s what they found.

Overall, they found several activities that people did more of during the pandemic were strongly associated with lower anxiety and depression scores. These ‘feel good’ activities were also those most commonly reported by respondents:

• Spending more time in green spaces such as gardens, parks or the countryside.
• Being physically active or exercising more.
• Talking more to family and friends over the phone or online.
• Practising relaxation or mindfulness techniques were moderately associated with lower anxiety and depression scores, along with taking part in organisations and clubs, seeing friends and family face-toface, and snacking less during the pandemic.
• They also found that drinking alcohol less often and sleeping better were associated with lower anxiety and depression scores, although this link wasn’t as strong compared with other activities.

This was a very interesting study and there was an extremely good webinar linked to it (links below) as well as this please join us for further review and a discussion on the study ‘COVID-19 & Mental Health: A review of the Zoe Study’ this is being delivered live on Wednesday 23^rd June at 12pm, please use the below link to register for this session –

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/511723022745803536

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.

How can Care first help?

If you feel you may need some support, you can contact Care first. Care first is a leading provider of confidential, professional counselling, information and advice services. 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.

Useful sources & Information/ references:

• https://covid.joinzoe.com/post/full-results-of-our-mental-health-survey?utm_source=email
• https://youtu.be/ol6wTjj7Y18

With many of us eager to get out and enjoy the sunshine this summer after a very long winter cooped up and restrictions beginning to ease, it is important that we stay safe and protect ourselves in the sun.

Sun safety is important for everyone; we must all practice this to avoid damage to our eyes and
skin. Sun damage to our skin can cause skin cancer so it is vitally important to know how to protect yourself.

The risks of sun damage

It can be very tempting and easy to get excited when we start getting sunshine to just head out and soak up as much sun as possible, but doing so in an unsafe way can cause eye damage and skin damage which can also lead to skin cancer in people as early as their twenties. Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers.

Over years of exposure and potential damage to your skin from sun exposure your skin may also age by gaining more wrinkles, become dryer and you will eventually start bruising easier.

Practice the 5 S’s for personal sun safety

An easy way to remember ways to protect yourself is by practicing the 5 S’s:

1. Slip on a t-shirt/top to cover your skin
2. Slop on SPF 30+ sunscreen to protect your exposed skin
3. Slap on a hat to protect your head and face
4. Slide on some quality sunglasses to protect your eyes
5. Shade from the sun when you can to give yourself breaks

Things to consider:

• The sun is strongest in the UK from March until October between the times of 11:00 and 15:00 each day
• Make sure any children you’re responsible for are also well protected and hydrated
• Make sure the sunscreen has not passed its expiry date
• If you’re going out, take sunscreen with you but also apply twice. 30 minutes before you go out and again just before you leave
• Apply sunscreen again straight after you’ve been in water even if it is “water resistant” as after sweating or drying with a towel may have rubbed it off

If you burn

You should be protecting your skin from burning at all times when exposed to the sun but if you do you should:

• Treat the burnt areas with cool water and then apply after sun cream
• If sore take painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol to help ease the pain and discomfort
• Stay out of the sun until all signs of redness are gone

Debunking the Myths:

• ‘I can’t get sunburnt in the UK; the UV rays aren’t strong enough.’
  • Wrong! Always protect your skin even in the UK.
• ‘I can’t get sun damage on a cloudy summer day.’
  • Even if you can’t see any blue sky, a significant amount of UV rays can still get through the clouds, so it’s best to apply sunscreen if you’re out and about during the summer.
• ‘Using sunscreen alone will protect my skin.’
  • No sunscreen offers 100% protection so it should never be used as a substitute for clothing and shade.
• ‘My sunscreen says it’s water resistant, so I don’t need to reapply regularly.’
  • Despite what the packaging promises, swimming, sweating, rubbing, or towelling down means you will end up removing the sunscreen from your body. Always reapply after sporting activity or at least every two hours.
• ‘My skin is only damaged if it turns red.’
  • Sunburn and skin peeling is the extreme end of skin damage from UV rays. When the skin ‘tans’ this is damaging your skin and putting you at risk of skin cancer in the future.
• ‘I can’t get sunburnt through windows.’
  • Wrong! UVA radiation can penetrate glass. This can be a car window, or even your windows at home. Be sure to protect your skin if you’re on long car journeys or spend a lot of time sat by sunny windows.
• ‘SPF25 is half the SPF protection of SPF50.’
  • SPF50 does not offer twice the protection as SPF25 even though it offers a higher level of protection, so don’t be fooled!
• ‘I have to spend lots of money on sunscreen for it to be effective.’
  • This is not the case, if you are willing to shop around you do not have to spend lots of money. Look for a sunscreen with a high SPF and 4 or 5 star UVA rating.
• ‘I can simply use aftersun to repair the damage done by sunburn’
  • Aftersun may help to soothe and cool your skin, however, it cannot fix the damaged done to the DNA inside your cells.
• ‘Skin cancer only affects older people.’
  • Malignant melanoma is one of the most common cancers in young adults (aged 15-34) in the UK.
• ‘I shouldn’t use sunscreen as I will become vitamin D deficient.’
  • This has not proven to be true from studies. Using SPF 50 will filter out 98% of UVB rays, when used perfectly. So rays will still reach the skin. You can also get vitamin D through diet and supplements if you are concerned.
• ‘A tan is healthy’
  • There is no such thing as a healthy tan. If the skin changes colour it shows that damage has been done to cells.
• ‘I use a ‘once-a-day’ sunscreen, I don’t need to reapply’
  • Even if a sunscreen states it is once-a-day it should be reapplied regularly. The majority of people do not apply sunscreen correctly and miss parts of the body.
• ‘Sunscreen lasts forever’
  • Like most cosmetics, sunscreens have an expiration date. Look for the jar icon on the back of the product to see how long it is effective for once it has been opened. So you know, simply write the date you open the product on the bottle. Remember to store your sunscreen in a cool place and not in direct sunlight.

Other useful links

If you would like to access further information about sun safety in more detail please follow the
links listed here:

• NHS Website for Sun Safety
• Dangers of Prolonged Sun Exposure
• UV Radiation and Your Skin
• 10 Tips for Protecting Your Skin from the Sun
• https://www.britishskinfoundation.org.uk/sun-safety-advice-for-parents

More information

If you feel you may need some support, you can contact Care first. Care first is a leading provider of confidential, professional counselling, information and advice services. 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 ‘Keeping Safe in the Sun this Summer’ this is being delivered live on Tuesday 22^nd June at 12:00pm, please use the following link to register for this session –

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8004566012040167435

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.

As the COVID-19 situation is progressing and the Government guidance continues to change, individuals may be feeling anxious. 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. Where clinically appropriate Care first are continuing to offer structured counselling through phone and virtual software. At Care first the health and safety of both you the employee and our counselling team are absolutely paramount, any changes to our structured counselling process will be made in line with government guidance.

These services include:

Counselling support

Our team of professionally trained, qualified and BACP Accredited Counsellors are available 24/7 to offer support for personal or workplace related issues. As well as the headline issues surrounding mental health, our Care first counsellors are also trained in dealing with both work and home grievances, bullying & harassment issues, domestic violence, relationships at both home and at work and much more. No matter how big or small the problem may be, our counsellors are here for you to provide you with unbiased support away from the situation. Everyone has very individual needs for support, Care first provides short term focussed counselling, so the Care first Counsellor will assess your circumstances when you call to establish what the most appropriate form of support will be for you. It might be that you just need a brief conversation with the Counsellor that day, or you may benefit from a few more sessions.

Information Specialists

As control, or the lack of it, can be an influencing factor on the impact of stress. Many individuals identify stress as emotional, however, a lack of control around practical issues can be just as impactful. We have expert advisors that have been trained by Citizens Advice who can provide you with comprehensive answers and assistance on a wide range of practical issues which can affect our daily life, these include but are not limited to; redundancy, advice on funerals and probate, legal information, housing and tenancy issues, childcare, eldercare, health, consumer issues, employment, travel and education. Our Information Specialists are also money trained experts and can provide support with a variety of financial queries such as help with budgeting finances and advice with benefits. You can speak with one of our Information Specialists confidentially Monday-Friday between 8am-8pm.

Management Support

If you are a manager, have leadership responsibilities, or look after a team within your organisation, it is as important as ever that your colleagues are made aware of the range of support available from Care first. As well as supporting you to signpost your colleagues to the Care first service effectively to maintain your managerial boundaries, Care first can also provide you with support within your role as a manager. Care first Counsellors are all management trained and can provide support with issues such as if the organisation is going through a period of redundancy, managing change and difficult conversations, workplace performance, remote working, absence management and
disciplinary.

Care first Lifestyle

Through the Care first lifestyle site you can access a wide range of supportive information, read helpful articles published by our team, view Webinars covering a variety of well-being topics and even speak with a Care first Counsellor in real-time via our online counselling facility. You can log into your account by visiting www.carefirstlifestyle.co.uk and logging in using your organisation’s unique log in details. If you are unsure what these details are then please contact your line manager or HR department. The Care first Lifestyle website is great place to go to learn more about Care first and the different areas that we can support in.

How all of these above services link together

As you can see from the above table, all the services that we offer complement each other to ultimately encompass an individual’s overall mental and physical wellbeing, which enables individuals to access professional and clinically proven support.

Our counselling support is available 24/7 to help individuals with any emotional issues that they may have. Our Information Specialists can help individuals with practical information and advice. This practical support is so important because if an individual is concerned about a practical issue, then this can cause detrimental effects to their emotional wellbeing. By getting some support from an Information Specialist this will provide the individual with some clarity on that particular issue, which may help them to feel more in control of a situation and relieve some anxiety.

The Care first Lifestyle site can help individuals who are concerned about an issue. The individual may not know where to start and they can have a look at the resources on our Lifestyle website which may be enough to help them. The Lifestyle website is a great starting place to learn about the types of issues that Care first can support with. The individual can also access our online counselling tool through the Lifestyle website which is an alternative way to access support from a counsellor. By an individual looking through all the resources on our Lifestyle website this can help them to get answers about an issue they may be having. Again by getting some clarity on their issue this may have a positive effect on their mental wellbeing.

If you would like to learn more about ‘How Care first can support you’ then please join our webinar on Monday 21^st June 2021 at 12pm using the details below –

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5691445335384956685

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.

If you wish to contact the Care first telephone counselling and information line then please don’t hesitate to call the Freephone number provided by your organisation and you can speak to a professional in confidence.

There is a clear mental health crisis and growing need for care in the World. Is there a different sort of pandemic on the way or is it already here?

It’s almost surreal to look back on the last 15 months. Coronavirus has brought the World to a halt. The toll on mental health has been unimaginable. The changes everyone has had to go through and endure have been like nothing we have seen before. There has been a steady and exponentially increasing demand for mental health services across the World, and the pandemic that occurred at such a fast pace, has been hard for everyone to maintain.

The resulting mental health issues arising from COVID-19 have created a second pandemic–one which has yet to be fully recognised.

In some areas rather than increasing mental health support facilities, the need to distance and isolate has resulted in the amalgamation or closure of amenities, which has resulted in fewer or less accessible mental health services in an already underserviced and stigmatised sector.

It is important for everyone to recognise mental health as a significant issue and put strategies in place to address it.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the World. As we all work to contain the virus, to keep as many people as possible safe, we must not forget the mental health repercussions of this time. COVID-19 will last in our memories long after the vaccine rollout has been completed and the virus contained, but the mental health crisis it brought with it may be with us for a much longer time.

Please join us for further information and a discussion on ‘The Possible emergence of a Mental Health Pandemic’ this is being delivered live on Friday 18^th June at 12pm, please use the below link to register for this session –

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3015061409891249678

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.

If you feel you may need some support you can contact Care first. Care first is a leading provider of confidential, professional counselling, information and advice services. 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.

Useful sources & Information/references:

• https://blogs.bmj.com/ebn/2020/10/04/is-a-crisis-in-mental-health-the-next-pandemic/
• https://www.covidsocialstudy.org/

When the COVID-19 Pandemic began government enforced lockdown and social restrictions to reduce the spread of the virus. This of course meant that many workplaces were closed across the country and many of us were given a laptop and told to work from home. This was a bit of a novelty at the time for many, but what we had originally hoped would be only a few months, has
turned into over a year.

Being able to work from home has meant that businesses have not had to hurry everyone back into the work place as soon as possible, meaning workers who have been able to work from home, most likely still are. Working from home can feel very isolating at times, so below are some tips to help avoid those feelings of isolation.

Try to work somewhere else for 1 day during the week

Sitting at home working whilst looking at the same four walls you’ve been looking at for the past week can really hammer home the feeling of isolation. If possible try to find somewhere you can work from that mixes up your surroundings a bit. Whether that be a nearby coffee shop, a gym, library etc. having a change of scenery and being exposed to others can help break up the week.

Take advantage of this new flexibility

One of the main silver linings of working from home is that the commute is no longer a part of your routine. Make the most of this and rather than sleeping in, get up at the usual time and use the commute time to go out and grab a coffee, or do something social. You can also do this in the evening once work has finished. Head straight out and make the most of this extra time you’re not spending sat in your car or on a bus.

Make plans with friends

Again, now with this flexibility and lack of commuting we all have a bit more time to spare. To avoid feeling isolated make sure you use this time to meet with friends, family or colleagues. Think about doing this especially when you start feeling isolated or lonely whilst working from home.

Keep in touch with colleagues

Whereas usually you would be able to speak with your colleagues in the workplace, working from home makes it so much harder to do. You may have a Skype call with them from time to time but this is mostly to resolve an issue or discuss work, the casual chat with colleagues has waned since working from home. Make sure when you do have calls with them to have a brief conversation first, it will help you maintain a sense of team work, but also socialising with colleagues will help you to feel less isolated, as well as potentially helping them.

Useful links

Please see below other useful links to tips on how to avoid feeling isolated and lonely whilst working from home:

• https://unify.com/en/blog/8-ways-to-overcome-feelings-of-working-from-homeisolation
• https://sun-and-co.com/2020/04/working-from-home
• https://www.theguardian.com/small-business-network/2013/sep/23/avoid-feelingisolated-working-home

More information

If you would like to view the Webinar on ‘Ways to avoid feeling isolated whilst continuing to work from home’ is being delivered live on Thursday 17^th June at 12:00pm, please use the following link to register for this session –

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7121782419611087885

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.

If you feel you may need some support, you can contact Care first. Care first is a leading provider of confidential, professional counselling, information and advice services. 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.

This is a sensitive subject for many. However, we know that talking about mental health in the same way we do physical health, helps to reduce the stigma which is still attached to it.

There are many things out there to support this for example MHFA England, the Mental Health Foundation, Mind and many other. Throughout the year there are specific events focusing on mental health such as Mental Health Awareness week. Information is much more readily available than it was some years ago and organisations are doing all they can to make it “normal” for people to speak openly about their mental health.

Despite all this, there is still reluctance to talk openly about mental health. In the workplace, staff would much rather ring in sick with a physical illness than a mental illness because they feel they may be judged unfairly when it comes to work progression, and this is an issue for many managers who may themselves feel uncomfortable about the subject.

We all know that wellbeing is good for business. Practical mental health skills and awareness training is a key component for creating a safe, healthy workplace where the mental health and physical health of employees are valued equally. It gives people the tools to support their own mental health and that of their colleagues, and encourages them to access timely support when needed.

We all have mental health just as we have physical health, but it can seem more difficult to spot the signs of mental ill health. Here are some of the common triggers which might impact on someone’s mental health and signs that suggest they may need support.

Triggers

People often undergo significant life changes without developing a mental health issue. But for some people changes in their work or personal life, including happy events, can prove stressful and may trigger mental ill health.

Here are some examples of circumstances which might trigger mental ill health:

Personal life changes

• Bereavement
• Relationship breakdown
• Having Children
• Health scares or physical illness

Changes at work

• Starting a new job
• Coping with a new job or additional work load
• Poor relationships within the team or with managers
• Redundancy or fear of redundancy

Since last March, we have all been living with and trying to “manage” the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout the pandemic professionals have noticed a sharp rise in the referrals for mental health issues and also, the increase in the diagnosis of mental illnesses which have either developed during this time, or for those living with existing mental illnesses, they have found their symptoms have been exacerbated.

Signs to spot

Recognising a mental health issue is the first step in getting the support needed to recover. One of the first signs of mental ill health may be changes in the person’s behaviour.

Some of the signs to look out for include:

Emotional and behavioural

• Irritability, aggression or tearfulness
• Being withdrawn, not participating in conversations or social activities
• Increased arguments or conflict with others
• Increased consumption of caffeine, alcohol, cigarettes or sedatives
• Indecision, inability to concentrate
• Erratic or socially unacceptable behaviour
• Being louder or more exuberant than usual
• Loss of confidence
• Difficulty remembering things
• Loss of humour

Physical

• Frequent headaches or stomach upsets
• Suffering from frequent minor illnesses
• Difficulty sleeping or constant tiredness
• Being run down
• Lack of care over appearance
• Sudden weight loss or gain

At work

Look out for these signs that an employee may need more support in the workplace:

•  Increased errors, missing deadlines or forgetting tasks
• Taking on too much work and volunteering for every new project
• An employee who is normally punctual arriving late
• Working too many hours: first in, last out, sending emails out of hours or while on leave
• Increased sickness absence
• Negative changes to ways of working or socialising with colleagues

Despite all this, it is still isn’t always easy to spot when someone is struggling because many people mask their mental health by talking about physical health, simply because for some it seems more acceptable. By working together, by having Mental Health First Aiders, Metal Health Champions within the work place and accessible ways of contacting them goes a long way to help and support all staff and managers.

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.

More Information

If you would like to view the Webinar on ‘How to identify if someone in the Workplace is struggling with their Mental Health’ this is being delivered live on Wednesday 16^th June at 12pm, please use the below link to register for this session –

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/299468899914617100

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.

This article and accompanying webinar (in line with Men’s Health awareness week) focuses on raising awareness around Men’s Health in particular. International Men’s Health Week 2021 is from 14^th-20^th June and aims to heighten awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment among men and boys.

Care first are pleased to announce that Dr Suhel Ahmed from AlldayDr group will be joining our webinar on Tuesday 15^th June 2021 at 12pm to talk through and help raise awareness of the following topics regarding Men’s Health:

• Sleeping Issues
• Unintended weight loss
• Weight Gain
• Bowel Changes
• Changing Moles
• Chronic Itching
• Trouble Swallowing
• Jaundice
• Jaw Pain
• Genitourinary Problems including:
  • Genital Warts
  • Erectile Dysfunction
  • Trouble urinating
  • Testicular lumps

Following Dr Suhel Ahmed’s presentation on Men’s Health Awareness, Care first will then focus on Men’s Mental Health and look at the support that is available through Care first and also what you can do to help someone else that you may think is struggling with their own mental health.

Do men talk about mental health?

Due to societal expectations of men being strong, dominant and in control, it means that men are typically reluctant to reach out for support when they might need it. Gender stereotypes impact both men and women and their mental health.

There is some research to say that men who can’t speak openly about their emotions are also less likely to recognise the symptoms associated with mental health problems that they may themselves be experiencing. This can result in the use of drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism as men are much more likely to do this when compared to women.

Is depression different for men and women?

Although depression isn’t different for men and women, men are more likely to display symptoms such as irritability, loss of control, risk taking and aggression. As previously mentioned, they are also more likely to turn to drugs and/or alcohol or exhibit escapist behaviour such as throwing themselves into work or another focus.

What can I do about my own mental health?

If you’re struggling with your own mental health and want to get some tips on how you might be able to help yourself, you can visit the Care first lifestyle site which has a huge range of articles, information, tools and recorded webinars which you may find supportive. Also, don’t forget that Care fist Counsellors are available 24/7 for you to access confidential emotional support in the moment.

How can I help someone who I think is suffering from mental health issues?

If you have a friend or relative who you’re worried about then there are number of things you can do to help them:

• Ensure they feel they can reach out to you by keeping in regular contact with them. People can often find it hard to reach out if they are not reassured of this
• Let them know you’re there for them to listen without judging them
• Find out whether there are any local support groups which might be a good support mechanism for them
• Help them to find help and reassure them that it’s okay to ask for help and that support is out there
• Maintain your own mental health whilst supporting someone else. Supporting others can put a strain on your own mental health, so make sure you look after yourself so you can continue to help them.

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 ‘Men’s Health Awareness” This is being delivered live on Tuesday 15^th June at 12pm, please use the below link to register for this session –

https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/2979735200780663565

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.