COVID stress sees calls for help soar in financial services

SuperFriend, which provides mental health training on behalf of industry super funds, said it had experienced surging demand for assistance supporting staff around mental health and wellbeing since the pandemic began, holding more than 80 workplace training sessions since March.

Over 80 per cent of these sessions had been for financial services organisations, the group said. 

According to SuperFriend, the financial services sector rated as one of the most in need when it came to mental health support during the COVID crisis, along with government departments and the energy sector.

“The pandemic is testing the mental health of Australian workers through ongoing challenges; changes to their work, whether through reduced hours or being laid off, working remotely or behind protective equipment, and job insecurity or financial stress,” SuperFriend chief executive Margo Lydon said.

“In a short space of time, there has been an increase in anxiety around physical safety and fear for loved ones, along with a decrease in financial and job security. On top of this, forced isolation means withdrawing from our usual social networks, exacerbating loneliness and often worsening existing mental health issues.”

Ms Lydon said it was important for employers to learn about recognising the signs of poor mental health among staff, as well as implementing proactive measures for employees to improve their mental health in isolation.

SuperFriend head of consulting Pippa Rose said the group recommended a number of strategies that were “evidence-based in supporting and improving wellbeing”.

“Things like making time to connect with friends and family, learning and keeping our brains curious whether through an online course or learning a new language, staying active even if for a few minutes a day, and being aware of what’s happening around you,” Ms Rose said. 

“Reflecting daily on things you're grateful for also goes a long way towards improving wellbeing.”