Barriers to gaining support

Identifying barriers to accessing support

Recognising barriers to accessing support within your organisation is essential for encouraging uptake and shaping intervention strategies. Several potential barriers that should be considered when planning interventions, although some may be specific to your organisation. It is crucial to ask employees themselves about the barriers and facilitators of accessing support in your organisation, as well as the type of support they find most helpful.

• Time: Employees may feel they do not have the time to access support

• Awareness: Lack of awareness regarding the support available and where and when it can be accessed.

• Lack of trust: Concerns that accessing support may be disclosed to managers or colleagues, with negative consequences

• Feeling overwhelmed: Feeling too tired or overburdened to consider the support they need and take action to access it.

• Denial: Reluctance to admit the need for help or support

• Technical issues: Problems with IT or signing up for apps may hinder accessing support online

• Too much on offer: overwhelming options for support, causing uncertainty about what might be suitable.

• Difficulty finding out what is available: Information on support options and how to access them may be provided in different places or across different platforms 

• Not needing support: Some individuals may feel they do not need support from their workplace, as they can seek it from family or friends.

• No barriers: employees being comfortable accessing the available support for health and wellbeing