Comcare has released new guidance for people living alone and working from home to help them manage the mental health challenges associated with isolation.
In a statement, Comcare announced the guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): Looking after your Mental Health – Living alone and working from home as the latest in a series of mental health fact sheets offering practical tips for people who lived on their own, single parents, employers and managers.
“Most of us have experienced feelings of isolation and loneliness during COVID-19,” Comcare said.
“A higher risk group is people living on their own, including young or older singles, and single parents that are also juggling caring responsibilities and remote learning,” it said.
“While ongoing changes to COVID-19 restrictions and continued lockdowns have impacted everyone’s ability to maintain social relationships, people who live alone often rely solely on digital sources for social connection.”
Comcare said that for anyone who lived alone or with school-age children, it was important to establish healthy routines that incorporated good nutrition, self-care and exercise, “particularly if you’re also working from home”.
The Agency said employers and managers had a critical role to play in supporting those workers.
“Research shows these workers are at higher risk of working longer hours and blurring the line between work and home life, which makes it so important for establishing open and ongoing communication,” it said.
Comcare said employers and managers could support staff who were living alone by staying connected, maintaining open communication and being aware of digital fatigue.
The new two-page Fact Sheet can be accessed at this PS News link.
