Now is the perfect time to have some frank discussions about mental health. Open up opportunities to truly talk about the stress, anxiety, and uncertainty that are natural reactions to the pandemic. Consider the following:

• Help all employees on your team identify how their work is being affected by the current changes (i.e., are they having trouble focusing, making decisions, managing emotions, completing tasks, etc.).
• Problem solve solutions together.
• Steer employees toward helpful supports and resources, including your employee assistance program, mindfulness programs and apps, and online mental health tools.

You can also introduce some universal accommodations where possible, such as flexible scheduling and taking recovery breaks. Find additional accommodation ideas through Job Accommodation Network’s website. Also, be sure to communicate and model resilience skills yourself! Ask employees to share their own self-care strategies. Build comfort, connection, and creativity by addressing this issue as a team.