As more organisations move to remote working, human connection has never been more important. Remote working can increase feelings of loneliness and isolation, which are risk factors for mental ill health. Fortunately, the principles of Mental Health First Aid are the same whether you are supporting someone face to face or from a distance. However, the way you apply these principles might be different. Supporting people remotely Getting to know remote workers when they are well makes you more able to spot when they are struggling. Consider how online workers approach you. Are you easy to get in touch with digitally? Think about how your colleagues know who their Mental Health First Aider is. Lanyards or posters work well in person but won’t tell remote workers who they can go to for support.
When listening to an online worker, much of their non-verbal communication – facial expressions, posture, body language – can be lost. Using video calling is best wherever possible.
Giving support in a face-to-face setting might mean speaking to a person’s line manager with them or supporting them to contact their EAP. Where possible, it is important to offer remote workers the same support you would give any other colleague.
When encouraging professional help, make sure you work with the person to discover what professional support might be available to them locally. The support available to an online worker might differ as their place of work is different.
Talk to the remote worker to find out what other supports are available to them. Think about sharing some guidance about how to support their mental health when working from home .
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