After Christmas, January can be a gloomy time for people, the fun of Christmas and New Year’s Eve are over, it’s cold, dark and rainy and it feels like an eternity until the next pay cheque is coming. Add into the mix another national lockdown which can bring loneliness, home schooling stress and even more anxiety about the spread of the virus and life can seem pretty bleak for some.

It’s important that you check in on your team to see how they are feeling. Make sure you are approachable, so they feel they can talk to you if they are struggling. 

You know your team well so here are some changes to look out for that might be a sign of poor mental health:

• poor concentration

• being easily distracted

• worrying more

• finding it hard to make decisions

• feeling less interested in day-to-day activities

• low mood

• feeling overwhelmed by things

• tearfulness

• tiredness and lack of energy

• sleeping more or less

• talking less and avoiding social activities

• talking more or talking very fast, jumping between topics and ideas

• finding it difficult to control your emotions

• drinking more

• irritability and short temper

• aggression

However, noticing some of these signs doesn’t mean you should make assumptions about what mental health problems your employees may have. Instead, use them as a way of noticing when you should check in and start a conversation about how your employee is coping.

The NHS has a directory of mental health support contact details. These mental health charities, organisations and support groups can offer expert advice.