A fit-out contractor has given its employees a year-long subscription to the mindfulness app Headspace to help support their mental wellbeing.
Portview’s decision was prompted by research by mental health charity Mind showing that covid-19 and the subsequent lockdowns have led to more than half of adults (60%) experiencing a decline in their mental wellbeing. The top contributing factors towards declining mental health included social isolation (79%), anxiety around loved ones contracting the coronavirus (74%) and lockdown (73%).
The Headspace app gives Portview employees free, unlimited access to daily mindfulness tips, podcasts, playlists and home exercises to strengthen their mental resilience, improve concentration, and aide sleep throughout and beyond the pandemic.
The rollout of the Headspace app is the latest addition to Portview’s ‘Live Better, Feel Better’ programme – a health and wellbeing initiative that provides employees with a range of health perks including access to free cognitive behavioural therapy, deliveries of fresh fruit to the office, free financial advice, health insurance, wellness workshops, and vouchers for complementary therapies.
Managing director of Portview, Simon Campbell said: “The last twelve months have taken a toll on everyone’s mental health, with coronavirus, lockdown, furlough and social distancing all having a part to play.
“While our drive for positive mental health promotion is nothing new, we feel that now more than ever, we need to ensure access to vital mental health services – such as counselling and mental health first aid – remains the same, whether employees are working from home, in the office, or on the move.
“For many years now, we have been actively encouraging openness around the topic of mental health so people feel comfortable and able to seek support should they need it. Headspace is perfect for this, as it’ll give our people the knowledge and tools needed to reduce stress, improve focus, enhance sleep, and increase happiness through the power of mindfulness.”
