Employers in Norfolk have a responsibility to support those working at home
A study found that while mental health rates have risen since the first lockdown, fewer people are asking for help
A mental health counsellor from Norfolk says employers are responsible for ensuring their employees are mentally healthy while working from home.
The Government's Plan B guidance of "work from home where possible" comes into force across England from today (Monday 13th December).
Norfolk counsellor Glenn Pearson, from Connect Mind Care, says he has noticed more demand for mental health support since the pandemic hit last year.
As an independent counsellor, Pearson has been at full capacity since before the pandemic, but he has noticed an increase in inquiries.
He says many of his clients have specifically mentioned that increased time spent working from home has negatively affected their mental health.
Pearson said that one of the causes could be that when working from home, ‘work life and home life tend to blur into one another’.
To combat this, he recommends setting specific times to work, and shutting off your computer at the end of a work day.
He also understands the risk of isolation, emphasising the importance of connecting with colleagues in as many ways as possible, even if virtual Zoom meeting are the only way to do so.
He also said employers have a responsibility to support people and to enable fulfilling home working.
Pearson said: "Try and have constructive conversations with your employers. Good employers will be interested in making it easier for their staff to work from home."
A study by the National Institute for Health Research found that while rates of depression, anxiety, and self-harm increased in last year’s first lockdown, fewer people are asking for mental health support from GPs and hospital.
Pearson emphasised the benefits of reaching out to friends, family, or a partner in alleviating stress and helping to normalise not feeling well: ‘It’s okay to not be okay.’
For more tips on how to tackle working from home, read this NHS guide.