Accountants urged to prioritise mental health
Chartered accountants need to be kinder to themselves, recognise the signs of mental health problems and take preventative action to help keep their mental health and wellbeing on an even keel.
Health and wellbeing during COVID-19
The coronavirus crisis has forced many people to change their usual work practices and work from home for an extended period. This page gathers together useful resources providing practical advice on how to maintain your physical and mental health during the pandemic.
CABA
If you're feeling worried about the impact of coronavirus on your financial situation or experiencing anxiety during the outbreak – you're not alone. We urge you to get in touch with CABA for support and advice.
CABA could provide a grant to cover any shortfall to help you meet your everyday living expenses. There's no waiting period. Financial assistance is means-tested and the level of the grant is based on your individual needs. Through CABA you can also access free legal advice, debt advice and benefits advice.
CABA's emotional support – including counselling – can help you deal with the emotional impact of uncertainty, anxiety and stress on yours and your family's mental wellbeing. Sessions are available over the phone and online.
Get in touch by emailing enquiries@caba.org.uk or visit CABA's dedicated coronavirus support page, which hosts guides on wellbeing, online learning, and more information about the support it can offer.
ICAEW insights
Staff returning to the office risk ‘re-entry syndrome’
The easing of lockdown presents genuine management challenges to welcoming back employees, and experts warn that employers have a duty of care to avoid “re-entry syndrome” among their staff.
Is joining a start-up right for you?
Start-ups can be fun and exciting places to work but they are also challenging environments. A recent ICAEW panel of experts discussed the mentality accountants need to join a start-up business.
Remote working part 3: the lack of ‘real life’
In the third part of ICAEW’s remote worker series mental health speaker Nick Elston explains what can be done to ensure people don’t feel disconnected in a home working environment.
Imposter Syndrome: the lived experience
1 March 2021: Mental health speaker Nick Elston shares his experience of living with and overcoming Imposter Syndrome on stage and outlines what chartered accountants can learn from this.
Businesses need meaningful benefits to battle mental health emergency
11 February 2021: In 2019/20, stress, depression and anxiety accounted for 51% of work-related ill health cases, according to new HSE research. To tackle this rising tide, businesses are turning to wellbeing strategies and resources for help.
2020/21 Reporting Season: how much harder could it be for retailers?
13 January 2021: With a difficult year behind them, the upcoming reporting season is likely to cause further issues for both retailers and their auditors. We speak to Jacqui Baker, boutique owner and Audit Director at RSM UK Audit, about year ends, going concern and wellbeing.
Understanding mental health in accountancy teams
6 January 2021: With the country plunged back into lockdown, professionals are expecting a mental health epidemic over the coming months. Author and practice owner Della Hudson outlines several strategies to help cope with the current crisis.
How accountants are coping with the mental health pandemic
3 December 2020: Accountants are having to offer more mental health support to clients this year. One accountant shares his experiences.
2020/21 Reporting Season: plan for year end but also for wellbeing
23 November 2020: We know that the 2020/21 reporting season is going to be tough for many, but do we know how we are going to cope with it? Isabelle Campbell, CABA Trainer and Coach (and also Commercial Finance Director and Chartered Accountant), urges members to write mental health into the equation.
External resources
Managing your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak
Mental Health UK
Guide from Mental Health UK with tips on how to look after your mental health while working from home, looking after children and young people, supporting employees on furlough, mental health and money advice, and where to access further support across the UK.
Acas: Coronavirus and mental health at work
Acas
Guidance from Acas to help staff and employers manage their mental health at work during the coronavirus pandemic. It includes advice on working at home, support that should be offered by managers and employers, and information on an employer's duty of care.
Coronavirus and mental wellbeing
Public Health England
Every Mind Matters, created by Public Health England, offers advice and tips on how to maintain your mental wellbeing if you need to stay at home. This guidance has been developed with experts and approved by the NHS.
Acas: Working from home during the coronavirus pandemic
Acas
Guidance from Acas highlighting both employer and employee responsibilities. It highlights how to decide on working from home arrangements, pay, terms and conditions, insurance, equipment and technology, and creating a homeworking policy (including a template policy).
Coronavirus and your wellbeing
Mind
Helpful guide from Mind offering a wide range of tips for taking care of your mental wellbeing, support for mental health problems during coronavirus, and looking after practical needs especially during winter.
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