new mental health during covid-19 · 2020. 10. 2. · source: matters community, mental health...

Mental Health during COVID-19How have Mail Metro Media readers’ perceptions and attitudes

towards mental health been impacted by COVID-19?

September 2020

Source: Omniture January-September 2020

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO TALK ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH?

COVID-19 has impacted Brits’ mental wellbeing with its effects likely to last

31Marticle views

on Mental

Health

this year

We wanted to understand…

… readers’

perceptions and

attitudes towards

mental health

… how COVID-19

has impacted

work life and

mental health in

the workplace

… the role of

brands &

advertising within

mental health

1 2 3

What we did…

A P P R O A C H : 5-10 min online survey

Readers recruited through Matters Community

F I E L D W O R K : August 2020

S A M P L E : 460 Mail Metro Media readers

UK residents

Data weighted to be representative of

readership (by age and gender)

ATTITUDES &

BEHAVIOUR TOWARDS

MENTAL HEALTH

COVID-19 IS THE HIGHEST CONCERN FOR MOST BRITS

Source: Matters Community, Mental Health August 2020

Base: All respondents (460)

Q- Please tell us how concerned are you about the following topics?

(All concerned)

However, half of readers are also concerned about mental health, rising to

three quarters among younger readers

84% 83%

75%

64%

53%

Coronavirus The Economy The Environment Physical Health Mental Health

Topics of Concern

76% for 18-34’s

OVER 9 IN 10 TAKE STEPS TO KEEP MENTALLY WELL

Readers use activities to maintain mental wellbeing.

2 in 5 speak to others and 1 in 10 actively seek out medical support



72%

65%

48%

41%

34%

19% 18% 17%

9%

Listen to

music/watch TV

Something I

enjoy (hobbies)

Regular exercise Speak to others Go on short

breaks/holidays

Spend less time

on devices

Maintain an

active sex life

Meditate/

mindfulness

See mental

health clinician

Ways to Maintain Good Mental Health

Q- Which of the following do you do to maintain your mental health?

READERS WOULD LOVE TO TRAVEL MORE

Maintaining an active sex life and exercising more are also high priorities.

Younger readers would like to meditate more often



38%

27%

24%

18%

17%

16%

16%

12%

8%

Go on short breaks/holidays

Maintain an active sex life

Exercise more often

Speak to others

Spend less time on electronic devices

Meditate/mindfulness

See mental health clinician

Do something I enjoy (hobbies)

Listen to music/watch TV

Activities Readers Would Like Do More Of To Look After Mental Health

Q - If nothing were stopping you, which, if any, of the below would you do?

25% among 18-34s

MAINTAINING MENTAL WELLBEING COMES AT A COST

Budget and lack of motivation are a barrier for one third of readers to looking

after their mental health. People also struggle to put themselves first



31% 31%

28%

19%

15%

Budget Lack of motivation Time constraints Lack of support Gap(s) in knowledge

on ways to improve

mental health

Barriers to Supporting Mental Health

Q - Which, if any, of the following keep you from looking after your mental health?

LACK OF TIME & SUPPORT

“Being in lockdown and having to juggle work and family commitments,

means there's a lot less 'me' time”

“I have a full time job so there’s very limited time to have to myself. Covid-19

also put a break on my holiday plans this year.”

“I don’t feel like I can openly talk about

things with my friends and family without being judged because they

don’t try to understand.”

SOME NEED MORE INFO TO ASSIST MENTAL HEALTH

Of those, nearly three quarters would like information about how to deal with

issues, while two thirds would like to prevent them before they arise


Base: All that mentioned ‘gaps in knowledge’(68)

Barriers to Supporting Mental Health

Gap(s) in knowledge in how I can improve my mental health

Q - Which, if any, of the following would you like to find out more about?

HOW TO MAINTAIN A GOOD MENTAL HEALTH

62%

HOW TO DEAL WITHMENTAL HEALTH ISSUES

72%

HOW TO IMPROVEMENTAL HEALTH AT HOME

60%

INFORMATION ON FREEMENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT

51%

HOW TO IMPROVEMENTAL HEALTH AT WORK

46%

BRANDS WORKINGIN THIS SPACE

30%

15%

Information Readers Want

FRIENDS & PARTNERS OFFER SUPPORT FOR MANY

Whilst only 1 in 10 said they’re currently speaking to a counsellor, nearly half

would consider one. Children are important for older readers



58% 57%

47%

38%

18% 18%

Friends Partner Counsellor Family member My children Co-workers

Support Network for Mental Health

Q - When it comes to talking about your mental health, which, if any, of the following would you consider talking to?

32% for 55+

64% for 18-34’s

COVID-19

AND THE WORKPLACE

COVID-19 IMPACTED WORK FOR 2 IN 3 WORKERS

1 in 3 were introduced to different types of work, whilst nearly 1 in 5 were

furloughed or made redundant


Base: All employed (274)

Q - Which of the following statements best describes your workplace situation before Covid-19? / Which, if any, of the following has affected your work

situation since the COVID-19 outbreak began?

Can do their work remotely(45% of 18-34s can do all their work

remotely)

1 IN 2 NEW FORMS OF

WORK

34%

REDUCED

WORKING HOURS

16%

SALARY CUT

9%

FOURLOUGH/

REDUNDANCY

17%

Impact of COVID-19 on Work LivesAbility to Work From Home

CHANGES TO WORK HAD BENEFITS & DRAWBACKS

Readers had various responses with some seeing mental health improvements

and others feeling more anxious and isolated


Base: 93

Q - You mentioned that your work situation has changed following the COVID-19 outbreak, how did these changes impacted your mental health?

MENTAL HEALTH IMPROVEMENTS STRESSFUL TIME AND LACK OF BALANCE

“Actually helped my mental health as I did not have to spend hours

commuting, saved a lot of money and was able to do my job without

distractions.”

“It caused me more stress and anxiety because I initially felt isolated and

lonely when working from home.”

“I am working from home so I feel more isolated although there have

been some economic and lifestyle benefits”

“I felt better mentally, I felt happier, less pressured and more relaxed. I felt

being able to work from home made me feel much better mentally and

it lifted my depression and anxiety.”

“Somewhat better, as I have never really felt the need to see colleagues

in person anyway; plus it's safer and you save time on travel.”

“I found not being able to chat face to face with colleagues difficult.

Even via video calls it wasn't the same. We also lost the social aspect of

workplace…”

“I miss the social aspect of the workplace and even meetings. Being

stuck in same rooms all day is not good for my mental health”

Impact of Work Changes on Mental Health

TWO THIRDS OF EMPLOYERS OFFER SUPPORT

Flexible working and clear communication are the most common, though a

quarter also offer social events


Base: All employed (276)

Q - Which, if any, of the following initiatives to support mental health does your workplace have in place?

FLEXIBLE WORKING

35%

OPEN COMMUNICATIONAND CULTURE

34%

WEBINARS &WORKSHOPS

27%

SOCIAL STAFFEVENTS

25%

OFFERING CONSULTATIONS

23%

STRESS MANAGEMENTWORKSHOPS

20%

PAID VOLUNTEERINGDAYS

18% 17%

SPORTS/ TEAM BUILDINGACTIVITIES

ONSITE CHILDCARE

9%

Initiatives in the Work Place to Support Mental Health

ANY INITIATIVE

69%

BRANDS AND

MENTAL HEALTH

BRANDS CAN SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH IN MANY WAYS

Donating to mental health charities is key, but it’s also important to support

their workers and communicate those initiatives


Base: All respondents(460)

24%

27%

29%

30%

41%

45%

Create products that aim to improve people’s mental health

Have mental health ambassadors/coaches

Are outspoken about mental health and what they are doing in this field

Approach mental health issues in their advertising campaigns

Support the mental wellbeing of their employees

Support mental health charities

Ways Brands Support Mental Health

Q- Which, if any, of the following actions come to your mind, when you think of brands that support mental health?

58% among 18-34’s

41% among 18-34’s

READERS WANT BRANDS TO CHAMPION INCLUSIVITY

Brands have a responsibility to communicate messages that help support

positive mental health for all and reduce stigma for sufferers

65% 63%

56%

46%

Brands should be inclusive and

celebrate diversity

Brands should use ads to create

awareness & reduce stigma towards

mental health

Mental health should be a topic

brought up by brands in ad

campaigns

I am more likely to purchase a brand

that supports a charity

Brands, Advertising & Mental Health

Q- Please rate your level of agreement or disagreement with the following statements. (NET: Agree)

70%

for 55+


Base: All respondents(460)

SUMMING UP

KEY LEARNINGS

KNOWLEDGE IS KEY COVID-19 AND

WORKPLACE

BRANDS AND

ADVERT ISEMENT

Readers are taking steps to look

after their mental health.

Information could reduce stigma

and help them do more for their

mental wellbeing.

COVID-19 brought changes to

the workplace, with remote

working impacting both

positively and negatively on

mental health.

There's space for brands to

communicate their mental

health credentials, with readers

wanting to see them playing an

active role in this field.

new mental health during covid-19 · 2020. 10. 2. · source: matters community, mental health...

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