Feeling flat after summer? Here’s a tool to help you recalibrate

September always brings a shift in pace. Workloads pick back up, student engineers return to study, and many of us move from the slower rhythm of summer into something more structured and demanding. For engineers — whether on site, in training, or managing complex technical projects — that transition can feel heavier than expected.

It’s common to notice dips in energy, motivation or focus at this time of year. Shorter days, colder mornings and rising responsibilities can make the return to routine feel overwhelming. That’s why taking a moment to check in on your wellbeing is more important than ever.

Foothold’s Mental Health Check-In tool is designed exactly for moments like this. Quick, confidential and simple to use, it helps you understand where your emotional wellbeing sits today — not in a clinical way, but in a practical, supportive way that engineers often find reassuring.

You answer a short set of validated questions, receive a score, and get a personalised report highlighting your current levels of stress, anxiety or low mood. The best part is that it’s available anytime, meaning you don’t need to wait until things feel difficult before taking action.

Engineers work in environments where responsibility and safety carry real weight. Understanding your own mental load is just as important as understanding the technical risks around you. It’s the same principle behind staying aware of your surroundings on-site or assessing electrical risks — something explained well in identifying home electrical hazards and the training routes that teach you how (https://elec.training/news/the-importance-of-identifying-electrical-hazards-at-home-and-the-training-routes-that-teach-you-how/). Looking after yourself is a form of preventative safety.

The Check-In report can also be a helpful starting point if you decide to talk to your GP. Many engineers struggle to explain how they feel, especially when symptoms come and go. Having a clear summary makes that first conversation easier and removes some of the uncertainty.

For those studying or completing vocational training, emotional wellbeing is closely tied to progress. Pressure, deadlines and assessments can make it difficult to stay organised or confident. Tools like this help catch small issues before they escalate. It’s the same reason learners benefit from structured development — whether that’s progressing through qualification stages or exploring professional pathways such as registering as an electrician or setting up an electrical business (https://elec.training/news/how-to-register-as-an-electrician-or-as-an-electrical-business/). Clarity reduces stress.

Foothold also hosts monthly mental-health webinars covering everything from stress prevention to sleep, conflict management and resilience. You can join live or watch recordings on demand — a useful resource during busy work periods or exams.

Engineering is a problem-solving profession, but not every challenge is external. Sometimes the biggest improvements come from understanding your own capacity, managing your wellbeing and asking for help early. Just as you’d maintain tools or equipment, your mental health needs regular checks too.

And if you’re planning your personal development for the months ahead — whether that’s gaining new skills, improving safety knowledge or upskilling for future roles — it may be helpful to explore pathways like the benefits of electrical upskilling into specialist areas such as EV charging installations (https://elec.training/news/the-benefits-of-upskilling-to-electric-vehicle-charging-installations/). Growth and wellbeing often go hand in hand. Wherever you are in your engineering journey, Foothold’s Mental Health Check-In offers a simple way to pause, reflect and reset — something we all need as the season changes.