A Penryn based mental wellbeing expert says Coronavirus is taking a toll on our mental health and has called for employers to remain alert.

Following Sunday's statement from UK Prime Minister Boris Johnston, many businesses are facing up to the fact that current working arrangements must also continue.

Craig Fearn, mental health expert and owner of Penryn, Cornwall-based corporate wellbeing consultancy Business Mental Wellbeing, has spoken out about his concerns. Craig is calling for businesses to make the time to support their staff, whether working remotely, furloughed or facing redundancy.

It is vital, he says, that businesses lookout for early warning signals that mental wellbeing is affected – and to prepare themselves for conversations from colleagues or business partners about mental wellbeing.

Every day businesses are making hard decisions, some are unsupported by grants and other initiatives. And for many, especially in the local tourism-facing economy, the coming weeks and months will continue to be challenging – and the impact of this stress needs to be acknowledged.

Recent research from Benenden Health has also found that 35% of people are struggling with their mental wellbeing as a result of the pandemic. Many respondents to their recent survey say support from employers could help ease the stress they're experiencing in their daily lives now.

Nearly one in five people who are experiencing poor mental wellbeing said work is causing them the most stress. Having children at home was identified as a key stress factor, with more than half (58%) of parents whose mental wellbeing has been negatively impacted by the pandemic saying balancing working from home and childcare was having an impact.

This data fits with what Craig is seeing as his Mental Wellbeing Consultancy continues to offer support for businesses and individuals.

"Across the UK, we're getting better at acknowledging the impact of poor mental health – at work and at home," says Craig. "Employers are also recognising their responsibility to staff wellbeing – but conversations about mental health concerns are tricky for many reasons and warning signs may now be harder to spot without staff working together in the same place.

"As well as adjusting to a massive change in how we live our lives and the ways that we're able to work, we are concerned for our welfare and that of our families. I am not surprised to read

that more people are feeling the effects of stress or that their mental health is negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We're being constantly being bombarded with news. Any one of these things is stressful – together this is an unimaginable situation and people at all levels of business and across all sectors are feeling it. Talking about our own mental health and any struggles we are having is not easy. But it's important that businesses prepare for these difficult conversations because how we respond is crucial," says Craig.

"The necessary social distancing measures mean that people are more isolated than ever before Our homes have become offices, classrooms and playgrounds, and we are dealing with

considerable uncertainty and change due to financial, health and business worries.

"Many of us are experiencing high levels of uncertainty, worry and stress. Those with pre-existing mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety may find that these are being exacerbated by the current conditions. But there is a very real issue that the signs that people are not coping so well - or of acute mental distress - will be harder to detect with current working restrictions. I'm also really concerned that business owners or self employed people who have fallen through the cracks of support are under particular stress."

Craig is working with businesses who are using 1:1 mentoring sessions to support staff during isolation. For more information about the services and support available to local businesses,

click here.