Times are undoubtedly tough, both professionally and personally. Our mental resilience is being challenged in ways unexpected and unusual. People, especially employees are asking for support.

The market now recognises the short term need to help individuals cope with enforced isolation. It is also rapidly considering how to cope with the longer-term post Covid stress disorders (“PCSD”) that may arise as a consequence. 

Businesses of all sizes and types appear keen both to play their role in managing through the crisis and in preparing their employees for the wellbeing issues that will surface when a new type of normality inevitably returns.

87%, the mental wellbeing platform, has been at the forefront of delivering support to businesses and their employees facing this crisis. Below are some initial findings showing the unprecedented need for mental wellbeing support alongside business recovery;

1. A recent OC and C report highlighted that “resilience, bravery, and kindness” would be the 3 overarching values that will differentiate those that emerge from the crisis and those that may not. These qualities will be especially needed by those seeking to attract and retain top class professionals and support staff who have endured the crisis. 
2. Investing, openly and authentically, in the mental resilience of employees and consumers as well as of course their personal needs will define “kind “businesses. Kind businesses will endure.
3. Customers, employees and stakeholders of all types are resilient. They respond best to authentic communication. They will consider and act accordingly. Placatory or nuanced language will not be tolerated.
4. New habits will form. Psychological tests indicate that habits take on average 66 days to develop. A simple habit such a s drinking a glass of water a day can take 20 days whilst a harder task, such as 50 sit ups a day can take say 88 days. This implies that habits are being formed already that will endure.
5. Similarly, business can lead this formation of new habits. How a business operates with staff, what it delivers to consumers and how it communicates change will need to be aligned closely with the new mental wellbeing reality that will emerge.
6. Finally, markets, consumers and businesses will change. But a new normality will ensue. It will be an anxious normality for some while. Evolving a business proposition to align with this new normality must be based on insight derived from employees and consumers. Only employees that trust the actions of an organisation will release valuable data. Organisations that attempt to re-engage without data will be blind to the new needs and norms.
7. From the 87% platform some interesting statistics emerging from the crisis are ; 

• 53% of users said they were worried about having to change their work routine or location as a result of the lockdown.
• 88% were not confident that they would be able to pay personal debts and/or bills on time?
•         Only 30% felt confident they would be able to enjoy life over the next few months.
• 81% said that their business teams were not adapting well to the new environment
•         71% said that their employer was not adapting well; and 
• 74% said that they were concerned about being able to meet personal financial commitments going forward.

These responses evidence the levels of isolation stress and anxiety that employees are facing and is clearly concerning for business viability, management capability and productivity both during the crisis and indeed when the economy comes out the other side.

87% has responded to the crisis by offering free access to its mental wellbeing platform to all UK businesses with 100 employees or less, while the current crisis is active. It also provides a rapid access platform for larger businesses. It has developed a tailored platform for use by the 9,400 front line members of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine in 7 days. 

In each case, employees receive a platform that delivers mental wellbeing support at the point of need. The organisation receives aggregated and anonymised data. Comparative insight is also available to guide post COVID initiatives.

To get free access to the 87% app, please visit https://www.87percent.co.uk/covid-19 or contact Richard Glynn (RG@alinskypartners.com).