Mental Health
It is vital that businesses address the issue of mental health head on, developing a sophisticated mental wellness strategy to fulfil duty of care responsibilities and help employees with their mental health resilience. Beyond the obvious positives implementing these strategies would have for employees, businesses have a direct interest in investing in creating a mental wellness program; according to data from International SOS’ recent Risk Outlook 2021. 1 in 3 risk professionals believe that mental health issues contribute significantly to declining productivity levels. A business that supports employees appropriately will therefore likely be in a better, more productive place than one that does not.
Below are some key tips businesses should look to implement to promote resilience, helping their employees deal with any potential mental health issues:
1.Take steps to check in individually with every employee
2. Make sure people have and are aware of secure routes for reporting their mental health issues
3. Allow and encourage employees to take breaks
4. Consider the information employees are receiving
5. Provide employees with the tools to help them, understanding the level of personal responsibility which must be encouraged
View our mental health resources below.
Infographics and Pocket Guides
Time Management While
Working From Home
12 Ways to Stay Productive
While Working From Home
Mental Health Pocket Guide
COVID-19 Mental Health Pocket Guide
Mind First Response Training | 31st March 2021 8AM CEST
Register now to this mental wellbeing training as part of the Asia Health, Wellness and Security 2021 Event Series and led by Dr. Tracie Gan, Senior Medical Advisor at International SOS.
The pandemic has brought upon new stressors for employees, with the isolation of working from home, fears regarding job security and concerns about the safety of their loved ones. All these can lead to the decrease in job satisfaction and productivity. How should managers handle such situations?
This course aims to equip participants with the knowledge to recognise signs and symptoms of stress, anxiety and self-harm that may be displayed by their employees. Through a mixture of lecture and role-play, managers will learn how to perform a quick assessment of their employee and apply some first response techniques as interim before a professional steps in.
Webinars
Watch the recording and download the slides for our latest mental health webinars below.
In this webinar, Dr. Lewis, Occupational Psychologist, Affinity for Health and Dr. Ebringer, Regional Medical Director & Consulting practice lead, International SOS touched on the top pandemic contributors that affect employee wellbeing and how organisations are dealing with the challenge of supporting the intangible nature of mental health as it is predicted to become the primary productivity disruptor in 2021.
They then introduced our Mental Health and Wellbeing Services and provided insight on and International SOS is assisting businesses in Asia Pacific to develop programs fit for their organisations' make up and culture.
WORKING FROM HOME WORKSHOP: MENTAL HEALTH & LONG-TERM EFFECTS
(as part of the International SOS Swiss Online Conference 2020)
Dr. Rachel Lewis, Occupational Psychologist, Affinity for Health and Dr. Anthony Renshaw, Regional Medical Director Northern Europe, International SOS discussed:
- What will the likely long-term impact of working from home be?
- How has working from home affected people across the globe differently during the pandemic?
Mental Health: Spot the Risk
Working from home is associated with increased mental ill-health. Particularly if it is for more than three days per week. Take our assessment to educate and raise your understanding of mental health.
To help raise awareness around mental health, International SOS has updated its highly successful Spot the Risk online questionnaire. The open access platform provides information and the opportunity to build awareness into the indicators and influences on mental health. The questionnaire can be shared freely by organisations and individuals.
Spot the Risk – Mental Health was designed by Dr Neil Nerwich at International SOS in partnership with Dr Rachel Lewis, Chartered Occupational Psychologist at Affinity Health at Work. Responses to the ten questions, with their corresponding insights, are not held anywhere and provide a completely safe and anonymous way for individuals to raise their awareness.
Whitepaper
MENTAL HEALTH VULNERABILITIES FOR REMOTE ROTATIONAL WORKERS
In a new, first of its kind study commissioned by the International SOS Foundation, experts synthesised existing literature, carried out key stakeholder interviews, and launched a global survey of remote rotational workers to better understand the psychological impact of remote rotational work. The aim of the research was to raise awareness among stakeholders responsible of the Duty of Care of remote rotational workers and provide them with tactical recommendations to improve their wellbeing.
Emotional Support
Access to a Mental Health Professional Counsellor for Emotional Support: One Component of Our Workforce Resilience Service
When exposed to a layered threat environment, your people may be exposed to unexpected situations. Distance from loved ones, new environments, or a minor medical condition could trigger stress and anxiety. Our emotional support services assist your workforce in dealing with any psychological issues while at home or away for business, and for which short-term counselling is appropriate.
All clinical calls begin with an assessment, which determines the appropriate intervention. The assessment covers the presenting issue, support systems, coping strategies, background information, and a risk assessment. The outcome is a plan that covers the short-term focus including goals agreed upon with the participant. The therapy concentrates on helping individuals identify the skills, strengths, and resources that are already present and moves them towards a solution.
- Seamless integration between health, security and Workplace Options emotional support services (no need to make any additional calls)
- Unlimited manager/HR telephone consultations
- Support services available 24/7, every day of the year
- Up to five counselling sessions per incident
- Counselling method tailored to a mobile workforce: phone, videocall or face-to-face
- Support in over 60 languages
Peace of Mind
In times of stress or anxiety, your workforce needs professional emotional support often at short notice and in their native language. Timely support can make the difference between controlling a situation and an event spiralling out of control. Easy access to services through a single point of contact help your people make the right decisions at a critical time.
Wellbeing - Wherever, Whenever
Our short term counselling support services assist your people with the psychological issues, wherever, whenever. Your workforce will have their health, safety and emotional needs addressed by a single incident manager, in a holistic way via a single assistance number.
Case Study
Overview
International SOS provided remote emotional support to Zoe, an only child who was not able to care for her ailing parents due to the COVID-19 quarantining and containment measures in China.
Service: Remote Emotional Support
Location: Hubei province, China.
Problem
It was almost two weeks since Zoe last visited her parents. Zoe’s father is physically handicapped, and her mother had been recently hospitalised. Though Zoe’s parents did not pressure her to come home and assist, she knew that they desperately needed her help. Zoe, being in a different city, was feeling very powerless and distressed. This situation was beyond her control and her anxiety and concern grew day by day.
Solution
Zoe reached out to us and talked us through the issues she was facing. We were on hand to offer Emotional Support services from a certified counselor, and delivered this remotely. Through our app, we were able to set up a video-chat with Zoe from the comfort of her own home.
Impact
Our WPO counselor focused on empowering Zoe and determined alternate resources of support for parents, which normalized her concerns. Zoe’s stress levels were certainly reduced after this consultation as she felt very relieved and reassured.
For any further questions or information, please do not hesitate to contact us: switzerland@internationalsos.com
© 2021 International SOS