Making an Impact

Training managers to respond to mental distress

Helen LockettDirector of Programmes and Performance

Overview of presentation

Background to Impact on Depression

Delivery to date

Follow up evaluation

Where next?

Mental ill health is normal

Mental health problems are almost as common in the workplace as they are anywhere else

Only 1 in 4 people seek treatment

Less than 20% of mental ill health in the workforce is work-related

However, how the workplace responds is crucial in particular the role of the line manager

Finding a suitable programme (2007)

beyondblue’s National Workplace Programme

Been running then for over 4 years in Australia

Specifically designed for the workplace

Improving knowledge and building the confidence and skills to act

In 2008, we adapted it and ran a very successful pilot

Re-branded to Impact on Depression

Based on a licensing agreement with beyondblue

It is run through a trading subsidiary of the parent charity

Offers a range of training products for organisations which are tailored to specific staff groups www.impactondepression.c

o.uk

Making the training available in the UK

Delivery to date

Over 1,200 managers from across a wide range of organisations and business sectors

Variety of backgrounds and professional groups:EngineersAccountantsAdmin managersLibrary managersTeachersMediaCivil servantsfrom the NHS – both clinical and non-clinical managers.

Highly valued

“Excellent presentation, three hours well spent, thanks a lot”.

“DVD case studies were especially helpful”.

“Very useful in dispelling myths and showing just how common this is”.

Over 90% of people rated the facilitator and the relevance of the training as good or excellent

75% of people rated length as good or excellent

97% would recommend it to others

Immediate increase in managers’ knowledge and confidence

Programme evaluation

We have conducted 2 follow-up studies (at 6 and 8 months):

Cohort one: predominantly private sector managers (n=104)

Cohort two: predominantly public sector managers (n= 133)

Compared knowledge, attitudes, willingness and confidence at three time periods

Found statistically significant differences between pre training responses and both the immediate post as well as the managers’ follow up responses

Profile of managers

Cohort one (n = 104)

Cohort two (n=132)

Age Under 25 25 – 34 35 – 44 45 – 54 55 – 64

2 (2%)

15 (14%) 32 (31%) 39 (38%) 16 (15%)

2 (2%)

15 (11%) 46 (35%) 51 (39%) 17 (13%)

Gender Male Female

67 (64%) 37 (36%)

18 (14%) 114 (86%)

Personal experience of depression 37 (36%) 53 (40%) Immediate family experienced depression 60 (58%) 94 (71%)

Response rates: 37% (cohort one) and 50% (cohort two)Non-responders from each group did not differ in terms of their profile

Increased knowledge

Improved attitudes

Improved willingness to engage

Improved confidence to act

Putting the learning into practice

Within eight months, 2 out of 5 managers reported that they had put what they had learnt into practice.

Most-reported examples described noticing a change, approaching someone and providing on-going support or adjustments at work

Confidence to act

Female, 45-54, Operational Manager, NHS Trust

Experience of depression in her family

“...talking about the way they feel, referring them to occupational health and seen them both through the other side, amazingly! I felt confident in the way I dealt with them and encouraged that they responded positively to me ...

I feel that I was able to use the skills I acquired on the course to a better effect than I would have previously, especially recognising the signs and symptoms of depression ...”.

Confidence to act

Male, 45-54, HR Manager, Local Authority

Person and family experience of depression

“By approaching the person and asking them to seek help from their GP, [our] internal counselling service and by talking to them regularly to show they are respected and things can change”.

Confidence to act

Female, 35-44, Senior Accountant, Mental Health Trust

No personal or family experience

“Following the course I felt able to approach a member of my immediate staff that seemed depressed. I offered to help them find help to deal with what they were going through and told them that I was happy to discuss the situation. I encouraged them to go to their GP and I know that recently they have had some telephone counselling and their mood is a lot better. Prior to the course I do not feel that I would have been able to do this”.

Where next?

The training is popular

The learning is sustained

We need to further our understanding of programme effectiveness using a controlled trial

Thank you

For further information: www.impactondepression.co.uk