Return to work with mental health in mind

These last few months, Canadians have dealt with more stress than they could ever imagine. COVID-19 has added significant pressure to employers, employees and families, which has not only affected our physical health and economy, but our mental health too. One way to self-care is by prioritizing your mental health, which is why the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce are sharing some free mental health resources that you can use to help manage your anxiety and financial stress, as well as create a more mentally healthy work environment.

Managing Anxiety
From the pandemic itself to the start of reopening our country, many people are facing concerns that can be a high source of anxiety including worrying about risk of infection, new social expectations and the
adjustment of routines.

The Mental Health Commission of Canada’s Guide to Managing Return Anxiety as the Lockdown Lifts identifies six areas:

1. Remember that feelings about returning vary Many aspects of re-entry will be perceived differently from person to person. While some will draw comfort from the increased social contact, others may experience heightened anxiety or dread when returning to social situations
2. Plan to renegotiate social norms The way we interact will look different than before the lockdown. Shared spaces will look different and get-togethers will be less frequent.
3. Continue following public health advice Public health guidelines offer useful parameters to help you feel confident in your decisions and ease back into the world safely.
4. Recognize that different settings may follow different paths People naturally compare themselves to others, but different settings may need to follow different paths in the re-entry phase.
5. Use gradual exposure techniques Exposure is considered the best evidence-based treatment for anxiety. Within public health guidelines, try slowly re-introducing yourself to situations that typically induce some anxiety, rather than confronting them all at once.
6. Monitor your symptoms of stress and anxiety In times of change and uncertainty, some degree of stress and anxiety are expected. It’s important to regularly monitor your feelings to determine whether you need extra support

Managing Financial Stress
If you’re feeling stressed about finances right now, you’re not alone. From uncertain employment to hard-hit investments, very few are immune to the new financial reality brought on by the pandemic.

Maintaining a Mentally Healthy Work Environment
Businesses also have a role to place in promoting self-care for their employees whether they are working in-person or remotely.

On the website for the Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge they offer the following on how mental illnesses impact workers and workplaces.

“People who experience a mental illness may doubt their abilities or appear less confident. A person may have a hard time concentrating, learning, and making decisions. Symptoms of a mental illness may feed more serious thoughts. For example, someone who can’t concentrate may then also think that they can’t do their job well or worry about losing their job. It’s easy to see how these changes affect work performance.
Mental illnesses cost Canadian employers billions of dollars in absenteeism or sick days, “presenteeism” (coming to work, even when the employee can’t work well), disability and lost productivity.”

A local Peterborough company, The Staffing Connection recently launched a new program with a focus on mental health for their employees.

“The LIFT Support Program was created because we wanted to remind people that they are not alone, and that there are resources in the community and within the company to help them as they navigate challenging times. ” says Jeff Edwards, LIFT Support Coordinator.

You can also connect with your benefits provider as you may have access to certain resources.

COVID-19 Business Resource Portal

CMHA HKPR

Mental Health Commission of Canada