Over three quarters of Plymouth workers say their mental health has not been a priority during the pandemic

A survey carried out by mental health organisation, TalkOut Group, has revealed that a staggering 81% of Plymouth workers believe that their mental health has not been a priority for their employer during the pandemic.

The study also found that nearly half (48%) of Plymouth workers haven’t received any mental health support or advice from their employer since the lockdown in March.

Over a third (37%) of employees said that their mental health is worse now compared to before the pandemic. And over half (55%) of respondents said they have felt uncertain about the future of their job.

The survey also revealed that a third (31%) of respondents were having less one-to-ones with their boss compared to before the pandemic. And 60% said that their workplace had not organised any virtual social activities to support them when working from home.

When asked who they would speak to if they were feeling anxious or stressed about the current situation, 17% of respondents said they wouldn’t talk to anyone and only 15% would feel comfortable speaking to HR.

Jill Mead, CEO of TalkOut, comments: “Mental health has been on the business agenda for some time, but if there’s one thing this crisis has made clear, it’s that there is still a long way to go when it comes to providing effective support to employees.

“Unfortunately, whilst businesses were quick to adapt to social distancing and working from home, for many, the emotional wellbeing of employees was an afterthought. But the psychological strain of the crisis is impossible to ignore and whether staff have been working on the frontline, furloughed or working from home, it’s likely to have a long-term impact.

“It may seem like a daunting task but there are a number of immediate actions businesses can take to improve staff health and wellbeing. Regular communication to see how people are doing, creating safe spaces for people to talk openly, providing mental health training, and pinpointing employees to useful resources are all great starting points.

“A positive and supportive workplace can make all the difference when it comes to mental health and now more than ever, businesses have a duty of care to their workforce. In time, Britain will come to review its response to the Coronavirus pandemic, but mental health can’t wait.”