Spot Signs of Mental Distress in a Remote Work Context

When all our interactions are behind the screen or computer keyboard, how can we tell if a teammate has a mental health problem during remote work?

Worldwide, concerns about physical distance measures and the continued spread of the new corona virus have forced many companies to ask all or most of their employees to work from home.

But even as authorities in various countries are now beginning to reduce physical distance and lockdown measures, it seems that there may be more extensive arrangements for remote work to stay here.

Some of the largest, most influential companies have already pledged to be more flexible with home policies.

Working from home can have similar benefits for employees and companies, but it can also have some disadvantages, such as blurred boundaries between “work time” and “private time,” which can damage employees’ mental health.

So how can employers help maintain the mental health of their employees while working remotely?

Many people find it difficult to find the symptoms of depression in another person at the best time, and the fact that many employers and employees now only communicate with each other from behind the scenes makes it even more difficult. Can make

To find out how employers and colleagues can see the mental health struggles in teammates in the context of remote work, and to learn more about helping them, Medical News Today spoke with two experts. Key: Tania Degori and Kate Honsel.

Tania DeGuri is a business neuro-linguistic programming practitioner and mental health trainer and founder and director of Calmer, and Kate Honsel is a leadership coach and mental health first aid instructor and founder of Everyday People.

Focus on Non-Verbal Communication

Experts point out that people who experience symptoms of mental health problems, such as depression, may experience changes in body language and their daily behavior.

Yet how these changes manifest in different people depends on their personality and individuality.

But when we do not share physical space with a person, how can we lift the mark?

“First of all, let’s remember that many of the observation skills we have personally can be translated online – even if we are talking via video call, we still have [someone’s] body language. , [Their] appearance, and the ability to feel even without it. In video, we can hear the tone of their voices and the words they use, “Kate Honsell told us. ۔

Outside of the calls, Hounsell suggested looking for a weird change in someone’s messaging style and email communication, and to see if someone suddenly became less talkative online.

Proactive Check-ins are a Must

But the most important step is to make sure that a colleague who has been working remotely is performing well, simply, trying and fitting in regular video or voice calls.

“Check in regularly with each other, whether through one-on-one catch-up calls or through team meetings – whenever possible via video conferencing,” said Degori.

He also emphasized the importance of dialogue, which deals with the small details in the usual way.