Blog. Taking The Temperature - our 2020 Mental Health Survey
October 10, 2020 | Author: Mark Lewis
The results are in.
Sky-high stress levels were to be expected as the headline finding of our 2020 Mental Health Survey, with Covid-19 concerns firmly at the top of the list of issues keeping hospitality people awake at night. But behind the stark figure is an industry that is making improvements in recognising and supporting mental health issues.
The survey builds on previous research conducted in 2018 and provides a unique insight into the prevalence of mental health issues and responses to support mental wellness in the hospitality workplace.
The impact of Covid-19 leading to uncertainty around the long-term viability of hospitality businesses and jobs is clear: only 38% of respondents said they feel positive about their future in the industry, and more than 60% reported feeling worried, stressed, demotivated or frustrated about the future. What’s more, over one third of those polled, 36%, admitted they are considering leaving the industry in the coming year.
However, our research reveals green shoots of progress in attitudes towards mental wellness across hospitality. The survey found that three quarters of respondents feel their mental health and wellbeing is a priority in the business they work for; while the number of people who said they feel supported by their employer has risen to 38% from 29% in 2018.
Further progress was demonstrated by the fact that 80% of those questioned said they know the signs that a colleague may be experiencing poor mental health and almost as many – 75% - said they would be comfortable having a conversation about mental wellness with a colleague.
What’s clear from our survey, is that there’s increasing evidence that employers across the sector are starting to take steps towards normalising mental health conversations and supporting team members exhibiting issues.
Where a conversation does take place, employers are able to support by offering changes in working patterns to support colleagues and recommending their staff seek counselling from the NHS or HA’s own EAP programme.
Generally, we are encouraged that awareness of mental health issues has improved and we’d urge any employer to take the next step of turning awareness into action by signing up for an Employee Assistance Programme such as our own, and to conduct regular mental health surveys to assess the wellbeing of their teams – especially as the stressful times look set to continue.
Mental Health Awareness training is also an area where there appears to be both increased focus and investment in team wellbeing with 32% offering training to both employees and managers compared to 18% in 2018. Although 49% of 2020 respondents were unsure if any training was available at any level within their organisation, an improvement on 2018 where 63% of respondents were unsure if this type of training was an option.
To mark World Mental Health Day we have published the survey report, you can download it below. Over the coming weeks we’ll analyse it further and share how the results will help us set the direction of our ongoing mental health provision.
In the meantime, if you’re worried about your own mental health or that of a colleague call us, our numbers are below. You can make use of our free Wellbeing Hub on the Advice section of our website. EAP customers can access counselling online or over the phone.
Download the 2020 report.
The report is free to download, if you'd like to find out more about the results get in touch.
Download the 2020 report.Hospitality Action Helpline.
0808 802 0282 (24/7)
EAP Assistance Line.
UK: 0808 802 2111 (24/7)
Irl: 1800 911 121 (24/7)
Support Platform.
