Different generations, same needs on mental health and human connection

by Tali Shlomo, Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing Specialist and Daughter.

Is age just a number?

I keep telling myself that age is just a number and this pandemic has amplified this poignant question for me as a HR and D&I professional and a daughter of an elderly father. 

The typical work place may now have five generations and the percentage of older and younger people in the UK in employment is approximately 10.5% of those aged 65+ and 54.2% of those aged 16–24. By 2030, half of all adults in the UK will be over 50.

The skills our colleagues of different generations bring is phenomenal and one that we can all learn from.

Are we ceasing this opportunity and embracing what can be a magical spark? As we evolve our people strategies to foster sustainable inclusive workplace cultures, one that embraces our five generations what will be the golden thread which cements this spark? Diversity and inclusion extends to an ageing and an age diverse workforce as does mental health. 

Basic human needs

Whilst many of us are living and travelling the tide of the pandemic that tide is unique and different for each of us, yet our basic needs are the same. Feeling safe and secure, fed and nourished and our social connectedness filled with buckets of conversations. As we balance our basic human needs with the current uncertainty and a different way of living, whilst temporary yet lengthy, which brings with this a level of isolation as a result of lockdown, social distancing and shielding, the impact on our mental wellbeing is tremendous.  All of these moments impact each of us irrespective of our age. So is age just a number?

With my natural curiosity to take a peak into what the impact this moment in time is having on our mental wellbeing also known as mental health, 32% of 18-24 years old experienced loneliness and anxiety during June of this year compare that to 43% of 50 years and over.  So is age just a number?

We all have mental health so how do we support each other and create that glue of connectedness and support in a virtual world, as we continue to socially distance or shield and how do we do that in an inter-generational workplace?

FormScore as a common language of connection?

On my return from one of my early morning walks (my daily form of nourishment) I was using my FormScore and it dawned on me the common language this provides us with to connect, support and learn. No matter what our age, no matter our generation, no matter where we are and no matter of our identity.  So is age just a number?

Did I ever think mental health would be the common language and the golden thread which brings our generations closer together both in the workplace and at home, and did I think there would be a tool which our five generations could help us to connect, support, learn and take notice? If you asked me several years ago I would have said no way, the stigma alone would have been the catalyst to breakdown any conversation on mental health and then overlay this with the generational perspective of mental health. The pandemic has accelerated and amplified the path for change, that each of us has mental health which we must take notice, nourish and support each other along the way.

And here comes FormScore, recognising that we all have mental wellbeing which fluctuates daily and for some even hourly, FormScore is a simple and inclusive way of noticing and communicating how we are feeling.  Scoring your mental wellbeing out of ten each day and sharing with trusted colleagues, friends  and family via the app provides a new and inclusive language to facilitate much needed connections.

Supporting Dad

As I ponder on this year so far, I am mindful the experience for each of us has been different and at the same time profound with an impact on our mental health. Many people have experienced loneliness and isolation and my father is one of them, and knowing that he can actively take notice of how he is feeling by asking himself each morning ’ how are you today?’  And I can be aware from a distance of any shifts which might take place I can then increase the frequency of check in if needed. 

The pandemic has shone a light of how we support my elderly dad during isolation, shielding and social distancing, when as a family we meet on a regular basis and guaranteed delicious food is the centre of our family connectedness.  I can no longer physically visit my dad as frequently as the days pre-pandemic (and the family meals have been near to none this year) and whilst I check in with daily phone calls, the power of FormScore has bought a wonderfully form of calmness when the tide is so high. We introduced my dad to FaceTime at the start of the pandemic and to our delight he took to it, we had a few fun moments when all we could see is the ceiling and not him, but then we got there. So introducing him to FormScore was just the natural next step, and now I can connect with how he is feeling before I call him, particularly on days when I am not able to call until the end of the day, the notification of how he is provides me with a lovely nudge to check in earlier. Equally he consciously connects with how he is feeling. Recognising when he hasn’t had any physical connectedness for a few days with his family or he hasn’t eaten or slept well and the impact this is having on how he is feeling.  As a family we talk about mental health and wellbeing yet this has created a new dynamic which as a family we are loving. We are certainly missing our family meals and ability to meet and like so many that gap continues to have a profound impact yet knowing we can connect in a different way and use a tool to bridge a gap is one we cherish. 

Age has no barrier to mental health and mental health has no barrier with age, and if anything this time has shown me that mental health is bringing the generations together and providing a language which we can connect with. The simple digital tool of FormScore has cut through the generations, if my elderly dad can use it and is using it to connect with how he is feeling whilst connecting with us to support him to lift him up when he needs it can only be a positive step.

To know at work we can support each other in this virtual world we are in, consciously mindful of colleagues  FormScore can only enhance our relationships.  I get a sense of comfort to know that work colleagues can connect with each other to support one another as the power of learning and sharing takes place in real time whilst breaking down the stigma of mental health and age differences.

Fostering a community of support, sharing and learning driven by our experience of mental health irrespective of our age can ignite that magical spark as we continue to create inclusive workplace cultures.

Tali Shlomo is an internationally recognised HR Director, Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) and Wellbeing thought leader. She is an advisor to CEO and Board, leading organisational design requirements to ensure profitable and strategic business targets are met. Led a multi-discipline HR function including organisational design, reward, learning & development, employee relations, engagement and culture. An acknowledged D&I specialist who has sat on several insurance and financial services market led diversity, inclusion and wellbeing advisory groups and committees', a regular spokesperson at events and panel sessions.

She is also a daughter who cares deeply for the wellbeing of her father during these challenging times.