MENTAL HEALTH CORONAVIRUS
In the bleak F
For many people, the financial pressures of Christmas will only add to the stress caused by the ongoing impact of COVID-19. Fortunately, the Electrical Industries Charity is continuing to offer the practical assistance that has already helped many through the pandemic
or the one in four people in the UK who struggle with their mental health, Christmas can be a trying time – not least with the added pressures of COVID-19.
Christmas can mark the beginning
of a downward spiral for those who are struggling to keep their finances afloat, or who may be feeling isolated, have social anxiety, are recovering from addiction or are away from their families and friends. Such pressures have been magnified
over the last nine months due to the ongoing uncertainty of COVID-19, which is why this year’s festive season will seem more of a hindrance than a holiday for some.
Within the electrical and energy
sector, suicide rates are already 2.7 times the national average, with the Electrical Industries Charity (EIC) dealing with 44 suicides in 2019 and receiving 564 reports of sector colleagues attempting to take their own life. While huge steps have been taken within the industry to champion positive mental health within the workplace – including the charity itself training more than 10,000 people in mental health awareness – COVID-19 has meant a lot of those who may have made improvements with their mental health are now struggling again. The EIC knows the festive period can be particularly hard financially
CASE STUDY 1: GRAHAM Emotional therapy during a tragic time
Graham has worked as an electrical contractor for 20 years and came to the EIC at the height of the pandemic in April. His 25-year-old
son had unexpectedly passed away in his sleep and the cause of death was diagnosed as
COVID-19. Graham and his wife were incredibly distressed, shocked and confused, so the EIC sourced and funded a block of bereavement therapy sessions, delivered virtually. Graham said the therapists provided
18 CABLEtalk DECEMBER 2020/JANUARY 2021
exactly what he and his wife needed during the most difficult period of their lives. After completing the
sessions, the couple have continued to self-fund the therapy, saying the support has been “invaluable”.
and emotionally, so if you’re facing a tough 2021, its expert welfare team is here to help stop the circuit of anxiety, debt and depression. Throughout the festive season, its experts will be on hand to deliver the practical assistance it’s continued to provide during the pandemic, including financial help to those whose circumstances have been made worse by the pandemic. From advice to counselling sessions and financial grants to CV support for those who may have been made redundant, the charity is here to help, no matter what issues you may be facing. Tessa Ogle, CEO and MD of the EIC, said: “The EIC has supported thousands of industry colleagues during the pandemic and with 22% of our sector living week-to-week, we expect the Christmas period to bring a lot of stress for at least a quarter of our sector. “During the pandemic, a lot of our colleagues have been furloughed and had to survive on 80% of their wage, and some others may have been made redundant with the adjustments to the
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48
