Can Covid-19 help remove the stigma of mental health at work?
Life under lockdown is sparking a shift in how brands recognise and prioritise mental health issues.
The Covid-19 crisis has thrown the nation’s mental health into focus like never before. As whole teams are forced to work remotely, colleagues furloughed and job security in doubt, fears are that the pandemic is putting sustained pressure on mental health.
If the nationwide lockdown has caused a marked increase in concerns about wellbeing, it has also seen a significant uptick in people ready to talk about their experience of mental health problems, especially during this Mental Health Awareness Week (18-24 May).
A recent survey from NABS, the charity supporting the advertising and media industry, found 65% of respondents admit to experiencing anxiety and insecurity under lockdown, coupled with a 53% increase in callers to its advice line during the first three weeks of April alone.
The pressure on mental health is something managing director for marketing and digital at Direct Line Group, Mark Evans, has long been aware of. The company has introduced mental health first-aiders attached to each department, with five across the marketing and digital teams.