It’s that time of year again – Blue Monday is here. It’s claimed to be the most depressing day of the year, due to the cold dark days of winter, the financial difficulties many face post Christmas, and a general lull following the excitement of the festive season. However, this year people may feel its effects more than before with the current cost of living crisis, readjusting to life and work post-lockdown, and the ongoing issues in the wider world. January can be a particularly difficult time for those struggling with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a mood disorder in which people who have normal mental health throughout most of the year develop depressive symptoms at a particular time, usually in the winter.
Despite the negative connotations, the day should be seen as a time to challenge the misery associated with January, and to inspire people to make positive decisions for the year ahead. The start of the New Year is a great opportunity to think about mental wellbeing within your workplace. Occupational Health Professionals have a wealth of experience in helping employers set up mental wellbeing programs and managing employees with complex mental health problems.
Supporting an Employee Struggling with their Mental Health
Sarsen Health are happy to offer wellbeing programs and health promotion campaigns, we also have Mental Health First Aid trained staff who would be happy to discuss how you can start the conversation around mental health among your employees. For an employee struggling, we recommend a case management approach – an opportunity to support an employee and inform the employer of any adjustments that may help their recovery. A collaborative approach between HR, the manager, and Occupational Health is ultimately the best way to resolve the problem of an employee’s mental wellbeing and ensure a supportive and positive outcome.
Our team of Occupational Health Specialists have expertise and experience in sickness absence management, helping employees to return to work, and stay well in work. Our team also offer pre placement health assessments, an opportunity to help both employees and employers ensure any reasonable adjustments can be made to promote employee wellness. Call us today to discuss how we can help you with sickness absence management among your employees.