Just when the UK felt itself to be emerging from the disruptions of the Covid 19 pandemic, we find ourselves hurled into economic chaos. Instead of feeling relief and excitement about the future, we are staring into one of worst cost of living crises in recent history. Already worn out by the past 18 months of pandemic restriction, this is creating fear and anxiety for very many people – at all socioeconomic levels. People are living on their nerves, feeling risk averse and nervous, fearful of the likely negative consequences to their standard of living.

One in three households report that thinking about their financial situation creates worry and panic, with half saying they are not confident in managing their daily financial situation [source: The Money and Pensions Service]. The British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists report that two thirds of therapists see the concerns over the rising cost of living causing a decline in people’s mental health.  A report from the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute says that those with mental health problems are nearly twice as likely to be unable to cope due to the rising cost of living, as those without.  In our own work we are seeing people make significant changes in their daily lives, with many more experiencing sleep problems, difficulty managing emotions and a feeling of unrelenting stress and overwhelm.

To help employees and their leaders deal with the current situation more effectively, we have designed three short webinars to help people stay emotionally on top, keep being the best versions of themselves, and in so doing maintain their performance by efficient management of any rising fear or anxiety as quickly – heading off more serious potential mental health problems.These webinars will offer participants the opportunity to expand their current coping strategies, giving them additional skills and confidence to self-manage fears about the future.