The ‘sandwich generation’ is a term used to describe adults caring for both their children and their ageing parents. These individuals face some unique challenges which can affect their mental health. Mirco Magi, Clinical Lead at mental health support service Onebright, offers some advice on how to support them…
Life throws up a whole host of expected and unexpected events, such as marriage, birth, death, loss of a job, sickness, and moving house. From a societal perspective, we are expected to juggle everything and deal with whatever is thrown at us, but for many, it’s just not that simple and often something has to give.
With there being no ‘one-size-fits-all solution’, we tend to just do our best, muddling through our 9-5 job, getting the children to school, and keeping up our relationships. Doing this without tailoring solutions to our problems means we are likely to end up stressed, anxious, worried, and burnt out.
None more so than for the ‘sandwich generation’. A unique group of individuals who find themselves sandwiched between the responsibilities of raising their children while simultaneously caring for ageing parents or other elderly loved ones. Approximately 1.3 million people in the UK now have this responsibility and the group is growing.
Understanding the challenges of the ‘sandwich generation’
A school closure, a client emergency or an ill parent can throw off the delicate balance. There’s no doubt that the juggling act of attending to the needs of both generations can be physically and emotionally draining. The constant worry about providing the best care for both children and ageing parents can take a toll on mental health.
Additionally, a juxtaposition – the push and pull between external obligations and internal ambitions – adds another layer of complexity. It underlines the importance of creating supportive structures and opportunities to address challenges and ensure they have avenues to explore and realise personal goals and potential.
Employers have a ‘duty of care’ under UK law to protect employees’ health, safety, and welfare. We spend around a third of our life at work, so it is important for line managers and employers to recognise the demands of employees and when an individual isn’t working as they usually would.
Evidence suggests that organisational parental support and family-friendly working practices can facilitate better coping and subsequent work outcomes.
If you have an employee in the ‘sandwich generation’
Those in the ‘sandwich generation’ are often at the height of their career and can bring immense value to the workforce when they feel fully supported.
Managers and business leaders will inevitably play a vital role in shaping a company culture that values its employees and recognises the extra responsibilities they might have outside the workplace by:
- Creating an environment of open and honest communication
- Encouraging everyone to ask for help if they need it
- Sign-posting resources and mental health support
- Modelling healthy boundaries
- Showing vulnerability
Talking and sharing the difficulties and challenges of caregiving can help alleviate some of the burden and lead to a better understanding and support system. This starts at the top, with leadership teams leading by example.
Carrying out a mental health audit of your organisation can provide clarity on the mental health issues facing your workforce and the support provision you need to provide.
Training can be a key part of the support you provide senior leaders and line managers, so they can easily spot early warning signs and symptoms of mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression, stress, and worry. It can also help them to navigate conversations with individuals and implement strategies that foster a compassionate and understanding corporate culture.
Employees who place intense demands on themselves (and who are often both successful and appreciated by management because of this) are particularly prone to suffer when taken by impossible sets of responsibilities and obligations. Managers should be particularly attentive to those using words such as “should”, “must”, “I feel that I have to” in order to identify those who are most vulnerable to pre-empt crisis, in the interest of both employees and organisations.
We work with [businesses] to provide mental health therapy, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, to their members, many of whom are parents and the sandwich generation seeking professional support outside of their organisation. This support may also be extended to their spouse and children, who may also require mental health diagnosis and therapy, but have been unable to get it through their GP, work, or school.
For more information about Onebright, click here.
Register or log in to get started in your organisation
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash
