As a researcher you need to take time to look after yourself as well as your loved ones - especially in the current Covid-19 era. It is understandable that we may all need to scale back on our workload or work in a more flexible way to fit with caring responsibilities, including taking care of ourselves, at the moment.
Be kind to yourself! Do you have the balance of work, life and play right? Are there actions you can take to ensure that you are working to the best of your ability and still enjoying the career? Does your family life fit in appropriately with your working life? Do you need to discuss an adjustment to your workload or working hours with your line manager/PI?
The University provides all staff with access to an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) which helps you to cope with life’s difficulties and challenges.
Provided by Legal & General and Health Assured the EAP provides ‘in the moment support’ for mental health or stress related issues and a range of benefits to support you in everyday life.
The EAP is separate from University services. It is completely confidential, and no details will be routinely shared without your consent. Follow the link above to find out more or to make contact.
Universities UK (UUK) established a proactive programme of work on mental health in higher education in December 2016. The programme will ensure that wellbeing and mental health are a strategic priority for universities. Two principles inform this work:
Step Change framework was published in September 2017 to support higher education institutions to improve the mental health of students and staff. The aim of the framework is to encourage university leaders to adopt a strategic, whole organisation, whole population approach to mental health