Coronavirus, Mental Health and Tradespeople
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While I’ve been writing weekly about how I’ve felt during this pandemic, in many ways I myself am lucky.
As I work full time on my blog, I have no reason to leave the bungalow, while Ash is my carer and facing his own health battles as well.
I can’t imagine what it has been like for people who have had no choice but to carry on working. Putting themselves out there to bring in money and complete work for others, while facing an unseen virus.
During the break between lockdown 1 and 2, we had our bathroom changed into a wet room. With this, we had a number of tradespeople coming and going over the 5 days this took place. We got to see first-hand all the new rules and regulations they are having to follow and all the practices they have put in place to keep both them and us as safe as possible.
For instance, if one of us needed the toilet while they were working, they would have to completely spray down the room before and after. Masks were worn, areas were sprayed and so much extra had to be done.
So, it is little wonder that tradespeople are struggling with their mental health.
Tradespeople and Their Mental Health.
During mental health awareness week, Local Heroes conducted research into how tradespeople were coping and the findings were shocking.
Local Heroes spoke to 500 tradespeople from across the country. From this, 7 out of 10 (70%) said that they were experiencing mental health issues. Breaking that down a little more, 44% said they were suffering from stress, 37% feeling low, 35% anxiety, and 28% depression.
48% said they had sought help for their mental health, with the younger generation more likely to ask for a helping hand than the older.
However, how does that relate to work? Well, 4 in 5 people (79%) said that they feel their jobs negatively impact their mental health. Long hours, pressure from their companies, and pay all contribute to this feeling.
When it comes to coronavirus itself, three in five (60%) felt it had had a negative impact on their health. This is contributed to by a mix of worrying about the health of loved ones, finances, and the prospect of job loss.
Sadly, 60% of those who answered the survey believed that there is still a stigma around mental health. Something I see and fight against myself.
With those statistics in mind about tradespeople mental health, what can anyone do to help look after their mental health?
Mental Health Tips.
Everyone has mental health, and no matter if it is good or bad, it is something we should all take care of. However, it is perhaps harder to look after when times are hard.
Here are some tips to help you if you feel that your mental health is declining:
Talk About It.
From consulting a professional to talking openly with friends and family, being honest about the situation and how you are coping can make a big difference.
Practice Mindfulness.
There are many different styles and techniques when it comes to mindfulness. It can take a while to find those that work best for you; mindfulness most definitely isn’t a one style fits all technique. However, once you do, these can help ground you and bring your mind more into the present.
Limit Your News Intake.
If your mental health is being adversely affected by the pandemic, then try and limit the news you are taking in. Also, make sure that any news you do read comes from a reputable source – we all know how some media outlets like to speculate.
Acknowledge How You Feel Is OK.
Sometimes fighting against your feelings and thinking you shouldn’t feel this way can make things worse. It is normal right now to feel overwhelmed and vulnerable – and that is OK.
Get Out In The Sunlight.
Making sure you get out into the sunlight is especially important at this time of year. SAD, or Seasonal Affective Disorder, is a known mental health issue which can affect lots of people during the winter. Also, sunlight helps your body produce much-needed vitamin D.
Do you have a top tip to help people who are struggling with their mental health at the moment to share?
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I can imagine how stressful it must be to be a tradesperson at this time. It must be so scary for those who have to keep on going and worry about their safety.
Scary numbers – the impact of COVID on mental health is going to be massive and continue to be
My partner is a crane driver and has to attend worksites everyday and have inductions with lots of people. Sometimes 6 in a room. They have to wear masks obviously but he doesn’t feel safe enough. It’s really scary what it is doing to some people. A lot of the men he works with are older men with health issues and they really scared.
It must be so hard for people who have to keep on going and just don’t feel safe. It must feel so out of control.
I stay at home everyday due to illness and mental health issues. My heart goes out to anyoune who has to battle with this invisible illness.
I’m the same I don’t go out much due to my health, it can be so hard on your wellbeing being housebound.
I work in a school and the mental strain has been immense, I’m so happy to finally have some time to relax and unwind.
I hope you get to unwind a bit and just relax from it all.
This is a blog post that everyone needs to read. I am fortunate enough as well to be working through such a tough time. I loved the tips you shared with everyone about trying to deal with everything that may come their way. People often tend to not give themselves enough credit for how strong they are and can be. After all we are our own worst critics.
I am glad you like it – that means a lot! Definitely, I think everyone has been so strong this year and if you have mental health issues you definitely need to try and accept you are amazingly strong!
This pandemic all people are affected on their mental health because their struggling on their daily lives hoping for the best to end this pandemic and back to the normal lives.
Definitely – hopefully things will start to get better now the vaccine is being handed out slowly but surely.
It’s been quite the year hasn’t it? I admit that emotions have been a rollercoaster with ups and downs. Glad you got a good crew in to do the renovations that took all the precautions!
It is so hard isn’t it! They were great and the bathroom is so much easier to use now!
Work does affect your mental health! I cant even imagine how labourers are coping up at these times.
Definitely, it is amazing how harmful (and good on the opposite side) it can be.
I feel lucky too for many things that happen this year. It was a hard year for everyone but we are all together at the end of this year and it’s a great thing.
It is always good to be able to look on the bright side of things.
I really love this post! Ideas are great and helpful Keep safe and we can overcome it too
I am glad you like it and I do hope the ideas help people.
I have not had tradesmen in the house since January but I do appreciate the problems, particularly to mental health, to those who do have to work in such trying situations
We’ve had to have a couple more in this week it’s been a bit of a nightmare but you have to keep on going.
I work in a hair salon. We were closed in March & April and we have had 2 girls test positive since then. We all wear masks and require our clients to wear them as well. We sanitize between each client but still things happen. I’m really tired of missing work and income!
Oh gosh I am so sorry that has happened to you – it must be awful. It is just impossible, isn’t it? How do you fight something you can’t see.
The pandemic really brought us so many problems, challenges and health issues. With the vaccines coming in, I hope that everything will be back in normal soon. I wish everyone will feel better soon. Thanks for sharing this blog ,
I hope it really helps people, they have started giving them out over here which is amazing.
Thankfully, I have been working from home for 15 years, so I’m used to this. It’s so hard for others who are used to the social aspect of work.
It is interesting how different people finding it, even though I work from home I’ve found it very hard.
Great ideas. I think self-care is important too. I make sure to have my ME time.
Definitely, self-care is something everyone needs to remember and do.
My fiance is an electrician and he has found it tough with every site and place having slightly different restrictions, but we’ve had no choice than for him to work as he’s self employed x
It is so hard isn’t it – trying to work out how to keep going in such a world.
I can only imagine how the tradespeople have been coping, some facing job losses and other pressures can definitely impact your mental health.
It must be so hard, trying to keep going in a world which is at a standstill.