In today’s fast-paced, digital-first world, many of us find ourselves juggling multiple devices, responding to emails at all hours, and always connected to our work. While this hyper-connected lifestyle has allowed for flexibility and efficiency, it has also brought significant challenges, particularly when it comes to mental health and wellbeing.
This increase in online fatigue isn’t especially new and, let’s face it, we’ve slowly been becoming more and more dependent on the internet and apps, but we’ve also seen a recent upsurge in the acknowledgement from management teams and the demand for further support.
As the founder of SMMS and a qualified mental health first aider, I’ve seen firsthand how digital overload can affect employees; especially in industries where the pressure to maintain an online presence is high.
The Impact of the Digital-First World on Mental Health
In the UK, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the highest rate of suicide in 2023 for males was those aged 45 to 49 years, and for females aged 50 to 54 years. The highest rate was in the North West. We must start having open conversations about our wellbeing.
The shift towards remote and hybrid work has created new dynamics for employees and employers alike. In fact, according to a 2021 report from ONS, the transition to remote working during the pandemic led to an increase in stress and work-life imbalance for many. The constant connectivity has blurred the lines between personal and professional life, contributing to feelings of burnout, anxiety, and fatigue.
While technology offers the flexibility to work from anywhere, it can also be overwhelming. For those constantly online, the pressures of being always “on” and the constant influx of information can lead to mental fatigue. Research from the Mental Health Foundation has shown that 1 in 6 workers experience mental health issues related to their work, with digital overload playing a significant role.
The Role of Social Media in Mental Health
Social media plays a unique role in today’s work culture. On one hand, it’s a powerful tool for engagement, marketing, and communication; on the other, it’s a source of stress and anxiety for many. Employees in roles that require constant interaction with social platforms (such as social media managers, content creators, or those in customer-facing positions) are particularly vulnerable to digital burnout. The pressure to maintain a perfect online persona, curate engaging content, and respond to messages at any hour can take its toll.
As a social media agency, we at SMMS understand these challenges all too well. But we also believe that businesses can find a balance between leveraging social media for success and protecting their team’s mental health and wellbeing.
How SMMS Supports Staff Mental Health
At SMMS, we’re committed to creating a supportive, healthy working environment for our team. Recognising the pressures that come with working in an online world, we’ve implemented a range of practices to help protect our employees’ mental wellbeing:
- Flexible Working Hours: We understand that everyone has their own rhythm and personal commitments, so we offer flexible working hours. This flexibility allows our team to manage their time effectively and avoid burnout.
- Regular Team Meetings: While we work remotely, we ensure that we maintain regular team meetings to stay connected. These meetings help foster a sense of belonging and ensure that no one feels isolated, even while working from home.
- Encouraging Fitness and Exercise: We recognise the importance of physical wellbeing in mental health. That’s why we encourage our team to take regular walk breaks, go to the gym, or engage in other forms of exercise during the day. Movement is a great way to reduce stress, boost energy, and clear the mind.
- Digital Detox: We encourage our team to take breaks from screens, particularly after intense periods of online work. This helps to reset the mind and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
These small practices can make a big difference and are essential for maintaining a mentally resilient workforce.
Practical Tips for Protecting Mental Health Online
If you’re looking to support your team’s mental wellbeing online, here are some practical strategies to consider:
- Don’t Put The Onus On Your Team: Although your team will be integral to the success of any policies, procedures, techniques your organisation adopts, the onus of creating those steps, actioning them, and recognising when/where they are needed, is not the responsibility of your employees, it’s the organisation’s.
- Harness Your Community: Teams are communities. One of the most impactful support mechanisms for individuals who are struggling with their mental wellbeing is having a sense of community. Encourage buddy systems, regular check-ins, team days, regular breaks with colleagues, etc.
- Set Boundaries with Technology: Support your team to establish clear boundaries around work and personal time. This might mean setting specific “offline” hours or creating designated spaces for work to help separate work life from home life.
- Promote Digital Detoxes: Encourage regular breaks from screens, whether that’s a walk, a stretch, or a quick moment of mindfulness. These small breaks can help reduce mental fatigue and improve focus. Build ‘fresh air’ breaks into your staff manual.
- Create a Supportive Environment: Make mental health a priority by fostering a culture of openness and support. Regular check-ins, whether one-on-one or in team meetings, can help employees feel comfortable discussing any challenges they’re facing.
- Invest in Training and Resources: Providing your team with the tools they need to identify stressors, recognise burnout, and avoid work fatigue in themselves and their colleagues. Offering workshops on mental resilience can be an invaluable resource for employees in high-pressure environments. We highly recommend working with Andy Elwood; he is an expert in Psychological SAFETY and a Mental Health First Aid trainer. https://www.andyelwood.com/
- Acknowledge and Reduce Workload: Sometimes, we must reflect on what the business is requesting of the team. Is it simply too much? Can we reduce workloads or hire more team members?
Building a Healthy Digital Culture for Your Business
Promoting mental health in the workplace is not just about offering wellness resources – it’s about building a culture that prioritises wellbeing, encourages open & honest conversations, and offers additional support at all levels.
Whether it’s through flexible working, buddy systems, confidential feedback, encouraging fitness, or fostering open conversations, small changes can make a big difference in creating a supportive environment. Digital culture should encourage breaks, set clear boundaries & requests, and respect ‘downtime’. As we’ve seen in our own practice, these efforts don’t just benefit your employees, they contribute to a more productive, engaged, and resilient workforce.
Ask yourself, ‘Do I know how to listen to my team? Would they tell me?’ You must find systems, people, and resources that ensure your team knows who they can speak to, how, and when.
Here’s a wonderful video we use in our training, which highlights the difference between Empathy and Sympathy:
Conclusion: Prioritising Mental Health for Long-Term Success
Protecting your team’s mental health is more important than ever. By establishing boundaries, promoting balance, and offering support, businesses can help their teams thrive, both online and offline.
At SMMS, we’re committed to supporting our clients’ digital presence and ensuring that our team’s wellbeing is at the forefront of everything we do. If you’re looking for guidance on managing work fatigue and raising mental resilience in your team, contact us to learn more about our tailored workshops and strategies.
You may also wish to check out: https://mhfaengland.org/ for Mental Health First Aid Courses.
