The Highs and Lows of the “Covid-Coaster”
2020 has been a year of significant challenges and profound change. We have been pushed to our limits and forced outside our comfort zones. Our resilience has faced the ultimate test.
This World Mental Health Day (October 10), it’s important to take time to reflect and recognize that this has been no ordinary year. It has been a period of intense emotion.
I recently came across an illustration and article from Jo Love, the award-winning mental health advocate. Love’s Corona Emotion graph, especially her reference to the “Covid-coaster” really resonated with me. I was reassured, as I’m sure many of you will be, to understand that the exhaustive roller coaster of emotion many of us are experiencing is a completely normal response to an extraordinary situation.
Now more than ever, mental health and wellbeing must be prioritized. At Jacobs, we know the wellbeing of our people is fundamental to our success and we’re working to normalize conversations about mental health in the workplace. We are investing significantly in mental health training, awareness and support. Through our Mental Health Matters program, Jacobs now has more than 1,700 Positive Mental Health Champions trained in how to guide staff who have mental health concerns or crises to the appropriate level of help; support fellow employees; and help us encourage positive mental health and wellbeing throughout the workplace.
Over the past few months, I’ve been overwhelmed and so encouraged by our industry’s tenacity and colleagues’ eagerness to support each other through this time. I’ve been particularly moved by colleagues reaching out to share personal stories of how they and their families have taken comfort from our Mental Health Matters program at Jacobs. A powerful reminder for me that as an industry, we have an important opportunity – and responsibility – to continuously champion positive mental health at work and at home.
A true sense of solidarity, community and partnership has shone through in recent months which gives me confidence that we’ll come through these times stronger - challenging today and aiming higher to reimagine tomorrow.
As we continue to adjust to the challenges and changes that lie ahead, let’s recognize that extraordinary circumstances can prompt unique and unexpected responses in each of us.
Take your time. Reach out for help. Support one another.
Group HSEQ Director Ramboll
4 年Great article Ken. It's definitely a challenging time. I'd like to remind folks to follow #OML #OneMillionLives https://www.oml.world Please take the check in, sit down with a loved one and have them do the check in. It could be a valuable conversation.
Project Manager
4 年Excellent message, we are certainly in an unprecedented situation that has tested each of us in different ways. Distance learning for students, adjusting to working from home, or being an essential worker who went to work everyday throughout the pandemic, each has new stressors. In these times we need to show each other compassion instead of hostility. We are all figuring this out together!
Group Managing Director & Partner
4 年Excellent Ken!!?It’s an important and timely message, even more so with the current global situation we are in.? There are people out there who need assistance but may not know how to ask for help.?They may be closer to us than we think; friends, family, colleagues, neighbours etc....let’s try to take an extra moment to look out for each other.?One brief moment of help & kindness can result in life changing impacts for those who need it the most.
Senior Advisor
4 年Fully agree. Addressing this proactively is now more important than ever.
Geoenvironmental Engineer at Jacobs
4 年The homeschooling struggles ??