Health & Medicine, UK (Commonwealth Union) – Recent research highlights that enhancing a workforce’s comprehension of treatment approaches for mental health issues can notably diminish staff absenteeism and foster a culture of seeking assistance. Psychologists from Swansea University and Cardiff University have unveiled that the implementation of a specialized intervention program within a DVLA staff cohort resulted in a substantial 22 percent decrease in recorded sick days.
A substantial portion of work-related absences can be attributed to mental health challenges such as stress. Unfortunately, individuals might shy away from seeking help due to unnecessary embarrassment or shame associated with their mental health problems, sometimes even opting to report physical health issues instead.
To address this issue, the research team devised an intervention program named Prevail, tailored to facilitate individuals in managing their difficulties while diminishing the stigma surrounding mental health. This initiative targeted prevalent conditions including depression, anxiety, stress, and distress stemming from events such as bereavement, divorce, financial strain, housing concerns, or interpersonal relationship problems.
Through a randomized controlled trial, the researchers gauged the impact of the Prevail program on employees within the DVLA, a government agency headquartered in Swansea. Their findings have been recently published in the esteemed online journal BMC Public Health.
Unlike singling out individuals in need, the Prevail program takes a proactive approach by providing all employees with training on psychological interventions and coping techniques, both for their own potential mental health challenges and for recognizing and understanding similar issues among colleagues, friends, or family. Consequently, the program also combats the unnecessary stigma associated with mental health.
DVLA staff and managers who participated in the study were divided into two groups. One group engaged in sessions led by colleagues specially trained to teach psychological techniques for treating common mental health conditions and to enhance basic mental health literacy. The other group (the control group) did not attend these sessions.
Post-trial analysis indicated that Prevail was well-received and successfully mitigated stigma associated with mental health problems. Moreover, participants in the program experienced a notable reduction of approximately 22 percent in sick days taken, while the group without intervention training saw an increase in the number of sick days taken.
“Mental health problems are often hidden and therefore get worse over time without effective intervention. Prevail teaches people evidence-based psychological techniques for the treatment and management of these conditions. It also aims to reduce stigma by providing evidence that these problems are common and can happen to anyone. People who are struggling should seek appropriate help, just like they would if they had flu or a broken leg,” explained Professor Nicola Gray, who is from the School of Psychology at Swansea University.
Helen Davies, the Head of HR at the DVLA, affirmed, that the DVLA is dedicated to fostering the well-being and contentment of its employees. Their efforts in crafting the Prevail program, aimed at enhancing mental health within our workforce, have proven to be rewarding. Numerous staff members have expressed how Prevail has played a pivotal role in aiding them to surmount their mental health challenges. Furthermore, the program has equipped them to assist others by imparting the techniques they have acquired.
Expressing his satisfaction, Professor Robert Snowden of Cardiff University indicated that they are thrilled by the demonstrated effectiveness of Prevail. Their aspiration is that additional organizations will also take the initiative to bolster their workforce’s mental health domain, empowering them with evidence-backed methods to enhance emotional well-being and mental wellness.
The research team anticipates that these findings will serve as a guiding light for other prominent employers, fostering a lasting influence on their approach to nurturing and backing their staff.
