63% of project managers say their main project is causing them stress, with the majority expecting more disruption to projects due to Covid-19, as APM calls for improved mental health support
As more people start to return to the workplace this week, a new survey by Association for Project Management (APM), carried out by research company Censuswide, reveals the majority of project managers say their main project is causing them stress.
Survey results reveal:
- 40% of respondents cited poor work-life balance
- 32% cited unrealistic expectations
- 36.5% said they had too much to do.
The survey also revealed that 27.6% don’t think their workplace is doing enough to support the mental health and wellbeing of those responsible for managing and delivering projects.
Ahead of Mental Health Awareness Week (18-24 May), Dr Clara Cheung, lecturer in project management at the University of Manchester, and author of ‘The Wellbeing of Project Professionals’ report, calls on employers to help improve support for project professionals in the workplace:
Review mental health support for project managers
Dr Cheung said: “APM’s latest survey reveals that project professionals experience high levels of stress in the workplace due to the often frenetic, fast paced and dynamic nature of project-based work.
“The recent impact of the pandemic including the lockdown period might also have increased the risk of project managers to have mental health problems, such as anxiety, burnout, depression, social isolation and fear of unemployment. Under these circumstances, it’s vital that employers review the mental health support mechanisms provided for staff and how these can be improved upon.
“This could include reminding staff of support already in place or looking at the introduction of resilience-training that focuses on post-traumatic growth, wellness action plans, mental health first aiders and access to support from a confidential counselling helpline.”
APM said it is committed to supporting and helping the project community.
It has provided a series of tips for individuals feeling a strain on their mental health:
- Keep up professional development – everyone can benefit from refreshing their skills and boosting their knowledge. APM has recently launched a series of online resources to help support those working in project roles. This includes moving its qualifications online and its massive open online course (MOOC) for project practitioners, delivered in partnership with the Open University.
- Be ready for new opportunities – be sure to keep LinkedIn profiles and CVs up to date, and to keep in touch with online contacts.
- Keep connected – although it may not be possible to have physical contact with those outside the immediate household, staying in touch with colleagues, friends, and loved ones via phone, video calling or social media can help combat loneliness and isolation. APM has just launched the APM Hub, a new online community designed exclusively for individual members of APM.
- Maintain a routine – having a routine can be beneficial for mental wellbeing.
- Make time for self-care.
We’ve all had to manage many changes this year, and there are likely to be more changes at work to come. The project management profession often deals with fast-paced, dynamic workloads, and the need for mental health and wellbeing support for project managers.