Using tech to support mental health in the workplace

A recent report found that mental health issues are the number one cause for absence in the UK[1].  Whether these are caused by long working hours, tight deadlines, the daily commute, there are countless reasons we can feel overwhelmed at work. We get that tech wouldn’t be the first place you’d think of to gain some peace of mind, but it can offer a helping hand when it comes to managing your mental health. So off we go, a list of tech that can support your mental health in the workplace.

Unmind

Unmind is a platform designed specifically for companies. One of their slogans being “We empower organisations and employees to measurably improve their mental wellbeing”. They use learning and development courses, clinically backed tools and assessments, all with the focus of maintaining a healthy mind state at work. It also aims to increase awareness and understanding of mental health in the working world.

It’s a B2B product, with the opportunity to request a demo on their website.

Catch It

There seems to be an app for everything nowadays. With an abundance of fitness apps to look after your physical body it was only a matter of time before apps were developed to help look after your mental state. Catch It is an app developed by the Universities of Liverpool and Manchester and aims to help people suffering from anxiety and depression. The idea is that it encourages a more positive way of thinking, by asking you to ‘catch it’, ‘check it’ and ‘change it’. Helpful for when you may be feeling extra pressure or are put in an uncomfortable situation at work. By reflecting on why you are feeling that way and what you can potentially do to deal with the situation, you hopefully consider more positive outcomes than negative ones.

The app is available on iOS and Android.

Conferencing tech

A recent study found that longer commutes could be negatively impacting mental health, with health status, level of happiness and satisfaction all lower for people with long commutes[2]. If you’re part of a company that offers flexible working and feel that the daily commute is getting you down, then spend a day working from home. Tech such as conference calling and video calls mean there is no reason for you to physically be in the office to attend a meeting. That one day you spend skipping the commute can relieve you of some stress, promoting mental wellbeing.

Wunderlist

One of the leading causes of stress in the workplace is managing an increasing workload. Ever had it where you feel like you’ve finally completed your to-do list, only to have something pop up that you completely forgot about, which also happens to be due that afternoon. Wunderlist is an app that is designed to help you manage all your projects in one place. With a handy feature to set due dates and reminders you can make sure that you are constantly reminded of what you must do. Also, you can easily share your to do list with colleagues, letting them know just how much or little you have on your plate.

The app is available for Windows, Mac, Android and iOS.

eQuoo

Who doesn’t enjoy a game? eQuoo takes a different approach to improving your mental wellbeing, by developing an app that’s marketed as an emotional fitness game. The storylines and skills you develop throughout the game are based on the latest psychological research. The idea is that it helps you develop emotional skills to better deal with work stress, building healthier relationships. Why not have some fun, whilst also supporting your mental health?

The app is available on iOS and Android.

Scratching the surface

Who would have thought it aye? Tech and mental health. As time goes on, we’re sure tech can play an even larger role, with developments in virtual reality and artificial intelligence. For the time being though why not give these a go? To see if they make a difference. This isn’t a comprehensive list, just hopefully a nudge in the right direction!

[1] https://www.mypossibleself.com/blog/mental-health-workplace-uk-crisis-eight-statistics/

[2] https://www.nhs.uk/news/lifestyle-and-exercise/being-sick-of-the-daily-commute-could-be-affecting-your-health/