Alexis focuses on mental health in first Chamber Lunchbox Webinar fundraiser

Alexis - helping people and businesses struggling to cope with the new "abnormal".

THE Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce kicked off its series of Chamber Lunchbox Webinar events with guest speaker Alexis Powell-Howard, the managing director of Fortis Therapy and Training.

There were two key aims to the event, firstly to raise awareness of how to support people in business and their teams with mental health and wellbeing during the coronavirus crisis as people are gradually released from lockdown, and secondly, to encourage people to make a donation to Driver Hire Grimsby’s Just Giving campaign to raise funds for mental health support and therapy for those who are struggling, but are unable to access services or are unable to afford therapy.   

The event was hosted by the Chamber’s North East Lincolnshire Area Chair Michael O’Flynn who thanked Alexis for taking the time to give her presentation.

Alexis explained how her business provides therapy for all ages and had moved everything on line over the last few weeks to continue to be able to support people. She said: “It’s been an interesting challenge and we’ve learned an awful lot.

“She said we are raising funds because a lot of people can’t access services and we were getting lots of phone calls from people who needed help”.

Anyone who is able to donate can do so here https://rb.gy/wvbry4

During the webinar, Alexis outlined some of the clues to look for when someone you know, or someone in your team may be struggling. “We don’t see people holding their heads in their hands – people can pretend they’re doing ok and it isn’t always obvious that people are struggling to cope.

“It’s often a case of the a fear of the unkown, people are advised to do the opposite of their natural response, by not being able to be close to people, we can’t care for our loved ones in the same way, we’ve been made aware of our vulnerability and experienced a loss of liberty. Our choices and control were removed in a lot of ways, and we’ve had to face an unknown enemy in the form of the coronavirus, and the potential worry of the loss of a loved one”.

She highlighted a book written by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, Change Curve, which looks at shock, denial, frustration, depression, how to experiment with new ideas, decision and integration. As we come out of lockdown we want to help people look at the new abnormal and different people can go backwards and forwards within that curve.

There have been many individual experiences of lockdown, some people are still going to work, some are working from home which some people like and some don’t, some have been furloughed, there is the fear of job losses, redundancy, home schooling, restructuring. Other issues include isolation through living alone, managing children when parents are separated and the loss of people close. Cancer treatments have been halted, yet some people prefer lockdown and have no desire to return to work.

People have also had to reflect on their situation, this causes a ripple effect of change, gives people time to think, time with “self”, to consider choices we’ve not been able to make. There can be lots of feelings around instability, insecurity, feeling broken and lots of issues around domestic abuse.

People have also been reviewing what’s important and there is now nothing to hide behind or use for avoidance, like go for a coffee and sit in a cafe to escape your problems.

On top of that, there are world worries, and concerns over conspiracy theories relating to the origins of the virus.

The benefits of lockdown on businesses have included better contact, the staff like the informality and empowerment of working from home, which gives people more flexibility and allows people to feel trusted by their managers. We’re getting to know people differently, we have glimpses of their homes, which wouldn’t have happened before, or may see their children or partners in the background.

The blitz spirit has helped to keep businesses going and there has been less personal contact with handshakes, hugs, etc. It has lowered sickness absence rates which have helped to improve productivity.

However, some people can feel overburdened with all the changes, and people have been getting the fight or flight response, some want to run away, while others want to get stuck in and fight the virus. It’s recognising what triggers people and how we see that being acted out in the workplace, with people responding in different ways to how they used to before the crisis.

How we think about the situation affects how we feel with different people having different emotional reactions to the same situation. “Wobble” has been a widely used word in the last few weeks.

Whether stress is good or bad has more to do with the amount of stress in your life and the period of time you experience it for. Some people have enjoyed lockdown, being furloughed and spending time with their children. Other people are feeling traumatised by it. Some are self-medicating with alcohol, online shopping, prescription drugs, illegal substances etc.

Thinking about the steps towards the new “abnormal”, Alexis said if you run a business, what you do will be imitated by the people in that business. If you are unclear and unsure, it will breed uncertainty in the organisation.

It’s the leadership that needs to be in the right place to be able to support the business positively. Improve your communication and take a strong lead if you can. Consider how can you use this time to develop your culture, can you increase your focus on resilience, work-life balance, business development etc. Badly managed change leads to stress in your business.

The two favourite words of anxiety are “what if” and we’re living in “what if” at the moment – lots of uncertainty.

Actively listen to people – managers and leaders who didn’t listen before are starting to listen more now, which is good. What do your managers and leaders need to help them to show up too. Ask what’s stopping you from doing something and can I help?.

Looking at how to mmanage change and growth, Alexis said people should be kept informed so they know the reason for the change. Look at what’s worked and what hasn’t, and consult your teams as they will have ideas you’ve not thought of.

Recognise your teams’ success with positive endorsement and encouragement. Review your plan and ask people to help with that, ask for volunteers and get some short medium and long term priorities in place for managing workplace wellbeing and mental health.

Michael thanked the Chamber for putting on the event, and Alexis for being the speaker.

Anyone who would like to contact Alexis can do so by calling (01472) 241794 or emailing her at alexis@fortistherapy.co.uk