Digital resources to help you release the pressure and upskill during downtime

Working from home, self isolating and social distancing can all have an impact on individuals’ mental wellbeing. Luckily, there are lots of resources available to employers and their staff to help them proactively manage their mental health. Read on to find out more.

Looking after your mental wellbeing:

• Government guidance for the public on the mental health and wellbeing impacts of coronavirus (Covid-19) and how to protect against them.
• Good Thinking’s “Coronavirus and Mental Health” portal, including guidance for Londoners on how they can manage their mental health, mental wellbeing advice for parents and carers, personal stories and useful links
• Access to Work Mental Health Support Service, delivered by Able Futures on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions. Provides free one-to-one telephone advice sessions from mental health specialists, available to anyone who is employed, self-employed or an apprentice, including anyone who has been furloughed. The service can also provide guidance to employers on supporting their staff.
• Following the “Five Ways to Wellbeing”. A video outlining this approach can be viewed here
• Accessing 64 Million Artists’ free, two-week “Create to Connect” series of creative challenges to promote conversation, connection and creative activity. Open to children, older people, and everybody in between. Find out more here​
• NHS Mental wellbeing audio guides covering low mood, sadness and depression; anxiety control training; overcoming sleep problems; low confidence and assertiveness; and unhelpful thinking. These can also be accessed via YouTube videos here
• Mental health apps listed on the NHS apps library (including free ones) and online community apps
• Breathing exercise for stress
• The Reading Well for Mental Health resource
• Finding the right tools and resources to help you feel better, through the Good Thinking online platform
• Mind’s guidance on Covid-19 and your wellbeing, including plans for staying at home or indoors and ideas on taking care of your mental health and wellbeing
• Headspace YouTube videos on mindfulness, meditation and at-home exercises
• The City Mental Health Alliance’s top tips and list of resources.
• The Mental Health Foundation’s guide to looking after your mental health during the Covid-19 outbreak.
• Samaritans’ Wellbeing in the Workplace free online learning tool
• Mental Health at Work coronavirus and isolation toolkit​

The Government’s guidance on social distancing also includes some advice.

…and for a dose of culture:

• Every Thursday evening at 7pm the National Theatre is screening some of its most beloved productions on its YouTube channel
• The Royal Opera House has a schedule of free broadcasts and live content that can be accessed at any time. Live broadcasts will be made at 7pm every Friday from 27 March on its Facebook and YouTube channels
• Google Arts & Culture’s “Faces of Frida” online exhibition of Frida Kahlo’s works, created in collaboration with 33 collections around the world, including the V&A Museum and English National Ballet

Using downtime to upskill:

• Accessing free eBooks, eMagazines, eComics and eAudiobooks through the City Corporation’s library service here. You can access these even if you’re not already a member of the City Corporation’s library service
• The City of London’s Gresham College is continuing to provide its free lectures on a wide range of topics, via a series of live streams, and a YouTube ‘box set’. Find out more on Gresham College’s website here