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Supporting staff mental health and wellbeing during COVID-19 .
By Michaela Pascoe , Sarah Dash and Alex Parker
Australia ’ s response to COVID-19
is consistent with international approaches that mandate physical distancing and self-isolation .
However , evidence from prior pandemics shows that periods of self-isolation or quarantine are associated with emotions such as anger , frustration and distress .
Common psychological stressors of COVID-19 include worries about income , job insecurity and changes to work practices , such as remote working and reduced working hours . Nearly a third of Australians reported experiencing worsened household finances due to the pandemic .
In addition , health-related anxiety , caring responsibilities ( including schooling from home and potentially unsafe home environments ), as well as the impacts of social isolation have contributed to increases in psychological distress , compared with Australian national data from 2017-18 .
A recent survey of almost 1500 Australian adults indicates that more than 25 per cent of respondents are experiencing moderate to extremely severe depression symptoms and approximately 20 per cent are experiencing moderate to extremely severe stress during COVID-19 self-isolation and physical distancing requirements .
In response to the significant impact of COVID-19 on the mental health and wellbeing of our staff at VU , we developed the VU Elevenses program to promote physical and mental wellbeing for staff during the crisis . Every weekday , we deliver an evidence-informed , online intervention , comprising brief , micro-interventions .
The VU Elevenses program targets health behaviours across six essential lifestyle areas for wellbeing , including healthy eating , physical activity , reducing alcohol intake , improving sleep , healthy relationships and social connection , and stress management .
The program has been titled the ‘ VU Elevenses ’ in deference to the warmth , comfort and connection shared over a cup of tea and sticky bun ( i . e ., morning tea referred to as ‘ elevenses ’) between Paddington Bear and his dear friend , Mr Gruber .
At the beginning of the VU Elevenses program , approximately a quarter of staff reported moderate to severe symptoms of depression , anxiety and stress , highlighting the need for support . Our weekly check-ins have shown that staff report being highly satisfied with the program and feel that it is beneficial for their mental health .
Data from the early weeks following the launch of the program also shows a decrease in reported symptoms of depression , anxiety and stress .
While the VU Elevenses program has aimed to support the wellbeing of our staff during this time , we know there is also a desperate need for strategies and support in our wider community . With many changes to work , social and home lives , our regular methods of taking care of ourselves have been removed or changed .
Maintaining or adapting self-care strategies , managing stress and a sense of community are particularly important right now . In the months of delivering the VU Elevenses initiative , we have drawn on existing and new resources to develop recorded sessions of lifestyle strategies to support mental health . In recognition of the need for mental health promotion strategies in our community , especially during extended periods of lockdown , a selection of VU Elevenses sessions have been shared publicly .
The main aim of the VU Elevenses program was to support the mental health of our university staff during the pandemic through a daily online mental health promotion program . The evaluation of our real-world program will also tell us whether these types of interventions are useful to people , which can inform future mental health promotion programs in times of crisis .
Like many other programs created during COVID-19 , VU Elevenses was developed to meet an urgent need in our community . The program was based on evidence that brief , targeted interventions and psychological interventions via videoconferencing are effective in promoting mental health .
The key components of VU Elevenses – connection , self-care and warmth – serve to promote the wellbeing of our community ; both now and into the future . VU Elevenses has and will continue to teach us about how we can adapt quickly to provide authentic connection and support for members of our community . ■
Alex Parker is a Professor of Physical Activity and Mental Health , Dr Sarah Dash is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow and Dr Michaela Pascoe is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Institute for Health and Sport at Victoria University .
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