Understanding and responding to the Covid-19

Written by William R on 15th April 2020. Posted in News

Understanding and responding to the Covid-19

Caroline Riberio-Nelson

EAPA member, Caroline Ribeiro-Nelson writes for EAPA UK on understanding and responding to the Covid-19 crisis and what you can do to support your employees.

We’re not just WFH. The idea of working from home suggests some kind of security, a place of safety from which employees are carrying on business as usual (and fortunate to still have paid employment). Except nothing is normal, and the prospect of normal is faint and obscure.

The Covid-19 lockdown has been a traumatic event – and worse, has come with a barrage of uncertainties affecting everyone, with none of the usual consolations around when and how events will reach their conclusion. The stress, fear, anxiety and shock experienced as very typical reactions are extremely unsettling and can potentially overwhelm our ability to cope. This can harm us physically, emotionally or psychologically, impacting our mental health, as well leading to difficulties in every day functioning at work.

Our ability to manage and overcome the impact of the Covid-19 period will

depend on how well we understand its impact, along with our ability to respond adequately and constructively.

Symptoms like problems with concentration and sleeping, loss of appetite and mood swings are all a natural response to an unusual occurrence. In order to recover, people require time to process the experience, to work through, manage and make sense of what has happened, allowing them to feel better and return to their previous state. At the end of the crisis most people will usually see a decrease in these symptoms over a space of two to four weeks. However, the on-going impact and severe far reaching effects of this crisis can lead to extended difficulties (indicating post-traumatic stress disorder), which are likely to require a longer recovery time, clinical intervention or professional support.

As a first port of call for employees looking for some sense of reassurance, employers and managers need to recognise and understand the human impacts of Covid-19 lockdown. They need to be alert to levels of anger and irritability, communication failures, reduced work performance due to difficulties with concentration etc, in order to provide appropriate support.

Show empathy and understanding for those affected: listen without judgement and avoid making assumptions, ask open questions.

Differentiate between what needs immediate attention and what is important. Initiate a plan and clear steps to address urgent issues.

Wherever possible maintain as normal a routine and structure as possible, making reasonable allowances for those impacted by the incident.

Seek advice and support from other teams and departments in your organisation, such as occupational health, human resources or your EAP provider, as well as from government and health organisations.

Positive steps that individuals can take include:

Build Resilience by ensuring daily routines include a mixture of relaxation and distraction (from games and hobbies) as well as physical exercise. Spend quality time with family members. Check in regularly on loved ones, neighbours and those close to you to foster a strong sense of community.
Connect and communicate via establishing regular communication between team members with remote chats and meetings, sharing ideas and team building. Get support when needed by talking and connecting with people and professionals who can support you to deal positively with your mental health and concerns.
Cultivate being constructive by considering all the ways you can learn from the lockdown experiences. Recognise that crises pass.
Limit exposure to media and avoid continually consuming news or talking about the crisis.
Stick to a plan and maintain a regular daily structure and routine. Set clear boundaries and realistic expectations, which help keep you focused and limit disappointment.

More information and advice is available in the EAPA UK factsheet on Understanding and responding to the trauma of the Covid-19 crisis.

Caroline Ribeiro-Nelson, Executive board member of EAPA UK, Head of Free Choices: Mental Health & Well-being Consultant, Psychotherapist, Coach & Trainer, www.eapa.org.uk