With Christmas just around the corner, the holiday season should be a time for celebration and festive cheer.
For many though, the pandemic has really taken a toll on their mental health.
The Social Impact of COVID-19 Survey from the Central Statistics Office in February 2021 found nearly six out of ten people said the pandemic had negatively affected their mental health, with the number of people who reported feeling downhearted or depressed all or most of the time being almost three times the April 2020 figure.
As we face into the winter months and the possibility of more Covid-19 restrictions, it is vital we take a proactive approach to staying on top of our mental health.
There are plenty of resources available to help deal with and manage emotions, address a mental health issue or even just to support a positive mindset.
Irish Life Health’s Healthy Minds benefit, for example, provides members with comprehensive support to help prioritise their mental health.
Members can take advantage of a range of supports from telephone access to a qualified counsellor (available 24/7, 365 days a year) and face-to-face counselling sessions with a professional counsellor if needed, to legal and financial services advice and support.*
Members can also access the LifeWorks App which provides a range of helpful online resources including articles, podcasts, assessments, toolkits and programs designed to help boost your mental wellbeing. You can even talk to an expert via phone or live chat directly from the app if you need to.
If you find it challenging to prioritise your mental health, the LifeWorks App can give you a range of hints and tips to help you integrate your mental wellbeing initiatives into your daily routine.
The sooner you start, the more prepared you will be to deal with any challenging emotions or mindsets you might experience throughout the winter.
The Healthy Minds benefit is available to all Irish Life Health members who are over 18 years of age and can be easily accessed any time of day or night through the LifeWorks App.
If you would like to know more about Healthy Minds or other benefits that Irish Life Health members can avail of such as Minor Injury Clinics, Digital Doctor and the Back-Up Program, please get in touch with a member of the Hennelly Finance team.
We have more than fifteen years’ experience providing expert health insurance advice and helping our customers find a health insurance plan that suits their needs and their budget.
Give us a call today on 091 670 123 or visit our website at www.hennellyfinance.ie to find out more.
*Lifeworks and Healthy Minds are available to Irish Life Health members who are over 18 only. Maximum of 6 face to face sessions available per policy year. Service provided by Morneau Shepell. Terms and Conditions apply, see Table of Cover and membership handbook for exact cover.
