It's ok not to be ok - now we need to mean it

3 deadly challenges – one future and the need for hope and help

COVID-19, as many have said, has meant “unprecedented times” for all, leading to an unprecedented impact on society. The World Economic Forum recently released its COVID19 Risk Outlook, giving a preliminary mapping and its implications. They share the most likely fallout, but also present some potential opportunities for the Post-COVID-19 world. As pointed out in the report, these perceived risks should serve as a warning of how things could turn out if we don’t act in the right way today.

For me, there are three main challenges. The first challenge came directly from the virus itself. It swiftly spread over countries across the world – causing, death, illness, lockdown and straining the health services of rich nations across the planet and over-running those of poorer states everywhere. It continues to do so.

The second challenge has received less publicity, but is every bit as deadly - it’s just more selective. On 21 April 2020, the United Nations World Food Programme projected that 265 million people across the planet would suffer from acute hunger this year. A huge number and double the already massive numbers seen last year. Poverty is already rising rapidly – with the world’s 2 billion informal workers particularly vulnerable to the economic downturn.

The third challenge has already arrived and is growing relentlessly. The mental wellbeing of society is becoming impaired. Even before this crisis, stress related conditions, as one example, have become more high profile. One in six EU workers already experience some form of mental health issue. Globally, 48% of workers reported that stress levels had risen over the last year even before COVID-19. These human figures compound the economic pain – the estimated annual productivity cost globally is already $1 trillion (source: WHO).

Even sadder and more stark is the growing number of suicides – they now number more than 100,000 per annum globally. Every 40 seconds someone takes their own life (source: WHO, 9 September 2019).

This third challenge for society is really beginning to bite. Unemployment has a proven and strong link with subsequently increased levels of depression and anxiety. Lockdown has also led to increase in domestic abuse and nearly 7 in 10 employees indicated in a survey by mental health provider Ginger that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is the most stressful time of their entire professional career, which has aligned with increases in new prescriptions of antidepressant, antianxiety, and anti-insomnia medications.

Despite high profile campaigns to acknowledge and open up on mental health conditions, most cultures are a long way from changing so that it is natural to talk about mental health issues early rather than let them become a bigger problem. A recent workplace survey in the U.K. identified that 55% of people taking time off as a result of mental health issues had presented it as a physical health issue instead.

As a member of the European Commission High level expert group on the Impact of the Digital Transformation on EU Labour markets that reported in 2019, it’s clear to me that the recommendations made then in respect of mental health considered there are every bit as relevant now, but more urgent.

Having been part of a global company with 55,000 employees across the world and an insurance company providing income protection and critical illness solutions worldwide has added two more lenses through which I’ve seen this rapidly escalating challenge.

Finally, as Chair of the Z Zurich Foundation, a charitable foundation focussed on supporting the vulnerable in our communities across the world, I have seen us focus on using role models through the ground-breaking “Tackle Your Feelings” programmes in Ireland* and Australia** to open up the subject of wellbeing and reduce stigma dramatically. As part of its COVID-19 response, the Z Zurich Foundation has donated funds to support charities delivering emergency food and medical supplies to the most vulnerable people. In addition , part of our donations have gone to charities focussed on mental wellbeing.

It’s OK not to be OK – now we really have to mean it

Beating back the pandemic and ensuring food, clean water and shelter are critical. Acting to limit the economic fallout is vital in its own right and in support of society’s mental health. I would add five points to deal directly with the wellbeing challenge and to save lives and secure futures.

1: Early action and reducing the stigma: Early action to prevent or deal with problems before they become insurmountable is vital. Programmes like “Tackle Your Feelings”, the willingness of Prince William in the UK and others to encourage open-ness and that its ok to not be ok are critical.

2: Proactive wellbeing programmes from employers and from the State for all. On top of improving working conditions and behaviour, some employers have made it easy for employees to seek support, confidentially, and others need to be strongly encouraged to follow. Many individuals, though, are part of the GIG economy, work for smaller businesses or are not employed at all. The technology that many have embraced in lockdown makes it easier (and cheaper) for the State to provide the same wellbeing services online at a fraction of the cost. These include healthy living apps and stress management solutions from tips to signposting to specialist support services. Not a solution for everyone but for many and a filter for others.

3: Link physical and mental healthcare support. Help the individual. Despite the clear links between mental health issues and physical health issues, welfare and health systems generally remain separated. This seems an area where we can make a real difference. Likewise, there is an opportunity for a more holistic approach to supporting individuals – after all people go to work, school, live in communities, are part of families and friendship groups: a person suffering from stress is usually doing so across all. The Z Zurich Foundation recently supported an outstanding charity in the Isle of Man to initiate through the “Isle Listen” programme to bring together services from across the island with the support of the government there, raise awareness about mental health and provide support to those in need.

4. Flexible, trusted and innovative insurance solutions that develop to reflect the increasing need. We need to question whether solutions are keeping pace with the problem that is emerging. Helping people manage uncertainty, recover from stress and put themselves back in control may be more important than purely making a financial payout. The insurance industry has changed a lot here but there must be an opportunity to go further and faster.

5. Re-affirm community. One of the bright spots of this crisis has been the reinforcement of the support structures in local communities. Half a million volunteers put themselves forward in the UK to contact the isolated and support those shielding. Millions have been raised for food banks, charities and health services worldwide. Businesses have to repurpose production lines for ventilators and antibacterial hand wash. People have shared messages of goodwill and humour and provided free online exercise and art classes. As the skies have darkened, so we have embraced our humanity.

We’re also rediscovering that the more you give the more you get. The science shows that helping others increases happiness and makes the giver feel better. Studies show that volunteers over 70 years old maintain cognitive function for longer and teenagers achieve better education outcomes. In fact, provided that people choose to help a cause that really matters to them, volunteering helps people feel better, be healthier and feel more positive about the future. It also reduces stress and creates a virtuous circle of improvement for others.

This pandemic has deepened the darkness in our society – poverty, hunger, social inequity and lack of opportunity. It has also, though, brought out the best of us: science, technology and innovation with community and compassion.

Increasing the humanity in society may well be best for all our futures.

* https://www.tackleyourfeelings.com/

** https://www.tackleyourfeelings.org.au/