Employers have been urged to resist ‘over medicalising’ normal human reactions to the pandemic.
The warning comes from Christine Husbands, managing director of nurse-led wellbeing support service RedArc.
Husbands told Health & Protection as everyone has been affected differently by the pandemic over the last 12 months or so, both physically and emotionally, it is important that employers make sure that they don’t view the concerns of employees through their own lens, but accept that employee anxieties are real for them.
“In our experience, there is a mix of rational concerns about returning to the workplace e.g. relating to commuting on public transport, social distancing in the workplace, hygiene measures etc. but on the other hand, some people may experience anxieties that don’t appear to be rational, such as feeling anxious or uncomfortable doing things or going into situations that they haven’t for a long time.”
Husbands stressed the importance of not over-medicalising normal human reactions to a very difficult situation, adding many of the anxieties felt over the last year or so will pass naturally as the country goes through this transitionary period.
“For most people this is not mental illness, but for some, persistent and severe anxiety or low mood and depression is mental ill health and requires professional help.
“For those who need professional help, we would always advise a clinical assessment to ensure that the most appropriate course of action, be that a form of talking therapy or other service with regular follow-ups to ensure that appropriate progress is being made. Many support services offer access to counselling or CBT [cognitive behavioural therapy] but this is not always the most beneficial option.”
