Create a Mental Health Champion Network
According to the World Health Organization, in their statement addressing “mental health and psychosocial considerations during the COVID-19 outbreak” dated 18 March 2020: “Ensure that staff are aware of where and how they can access mental health and psychosocial support services and facilitate access to such services. Managers and team leaders are facing similar stresses to their staff and may experience additional pressure relating to the responsibilities of their role. It is important that the above provisions and strategies are in place for both workers and managers, and that managers can be role-models for self-care strategies to mitigate stress.”
As Occupational Therapists, one of our concerns related to the current lockdown is directly related to the change or lack of participation in meaningful activity and the subsequent mental health effects. This sudden onset of activity deprivation and/or disruption is bound to have a negative effect on one’s mental health. This is most probably true of those who already have a mental health condition but is now also relevant to anyone having to endure this pandemic.
Mental health is already such a stigmatized concept in our communities despite our alarming stats that 1 in 6 South Africans will endure a mental episode during their lifetimes. We suspect this stat may increase in the background of the coronavirus, but we are also concerned that our healthcare system, which is already saturated, may not have the resources to manage the onslaught of new or escalated mental health episodes related to the coronavirus, especially when people return to work.
As team leaders, employers or managers you are most likely aware that the presence of a mental health condition such as anxiety, will affect some of your employees. But did you know that whilst experiencing with anxiety, a person can become easily distracted, lose concentration, have difficulties recalling information and generally struggle to remain productive? This is a very common situation and one that is challenging to deal with under ‘normal’ circumstances, but how does one deal with this whilst trying to manage a global health crisis?
Our recommendation is to establish up a Mental Health Champion Network within your organization. This is a quick way to “cheat the system” and address potential mental health concerns from escalating by intervening early. While it is optimal to run awareness campaigns, facilitate disability disclosure audits and develop toolkits & resources for your staff prior to setting up a champion network, we no longer have the luxury of time if we are to address mental health head on in the face of this crisis whilst trying to remain productive to protect further economic fallout of the pandemic.
A Mental Health Champion is a carefully selected member of staff who takes on the role of liaison for any employee who is experiencing a mental health issue or emotional distress, helping the person get appropriate help, and also provide early intervention for someone who may be developing a mental health issue. A champion should be trained, by medical specialists, to be able to identify red flags, how to escalate concerns, how to interact with someone with a potential crisis etc. All with the aim of maintaining the mental health of your staff but also protecting productivity by doing so. This is a potentially cost effective and immediate way to support staff, who are required to return to work or return to the workplace in the next 2 weeks.
We, at IDA Consulting, have developed a free resource to assist employers create your own mental health champion network. Click on the link to access the employer’s guide on how to maintain mental health while protecting productivity:
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