A redesigned training and staff support programme to enhance job retention in employees with moderate-severe depression
Mental Health and Social Inclusion
ISSN: 2042-8308
Article publication date: 22 July 2021
Issue publication date: 23 August 2021
Abstract
Purpose
Closing the treatment gap in depression is vital to prevent people from losing their jobs. Delivering group-based interventions at work could reach more employees than delivering 1:1 interventions in a clinical setting. This study aims to redesign a Treatment Programme to make it more acceptable and accessible for employees with depression.
Design/methodology/approach
A mixed-methods exploratory sequential design with a high level of stakeholder consultation was used to redesign an interdisciplinary Work-focussed Relational Group CBT Treatment Programme for moderate-severe depression. Qualitative data from focus groups and quantitative data from a small feasibility study were integrated to develop the new Training (and Staff Support) Programme (TSSP), which was fully specified and manualised in line with the Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) for future delivery.
Findings
Focus groups identified a need for improved acceptability and accessibility of the tertiary preventative Work-focussed Relational Group CBT Treatment Programme. This programme was, therefore, simplified for delivery by peer facilitators at the worksite as an intervention for all employees rather than an indicated/targeted intervention for only those with symptoms/risk of depression. The TSSP comprised a compulsory trauma-informed educational/experiential workshop over four days plus optional open-ended, peer-led base groups set up and run by volunteer peer facilitators.
Research limitations/implications
The focus groups comprised a convenience sample who knew the researchers as a colleague or therapist, so there is a risk of selection or relationship bias. They were not involved in the data analysis which undermines the element of co-production and increases the risk of analytic or confirmation bias.
Practical implications
Delivering the new intervention in a group format will require peer facilitators to acquire skills in co-facilitation using a structured-directive leadership style and an awareness of the potential side effects of group-based interventions.
Social implications
The worksite TSSP provides a democratic learning space and empowers employees to stay at work by self-managing their symptoms and by challenging the interpersonal dynamics and organisational structures that might precipitate and perpetuate depression.
Originality/value
This intervention is fully specified and manualised with an explicit programme theory, unlike most universal worksite-based CBT programmes.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Special thanks to Associate Professor Michael Townend and Dr Helen Stoneley (University of Derby) who supervised the study and to the participants who agreed to take part.Funding: This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in thepublic, commercial ornot-for-profit sectors.Declaration of conflicting interests: The authors confirm that there is no conflict of interest.Statement of contributorship: NW researched literature and conceived the study. RD was involved in practitioner focus groups and protocoldevelopment. NW wrote the first draft of the manuscript. All authors reviewed and edited the manuscript and approved the final version of themanuscript.
Citation
Walker, N. and Dobbing, R. (2021), "A redesigned training and staff support programme to enhance job retention in employees with moderate-severe depression", Mental Health and Social Inclusion, Vol. 25 No. 3, pp. 279-295. https://doi.org/10.1108/MHSI-12-2020-0089
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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