A Single-Day Training for Managers Reduces Cognitive Stigma Regarding Mental Health Problems: A Randomized Trial

Abstract

Background: Mental illnesses have received increasing attention in the work context in recent years, yet they are still often accompanied by stigma. One starting point for stigma reduction is interventions in the workplace. The present study evaluated a one-day workshop for managers in a large company. Method: Enrolled managers (n = 70) were randomly assigned to the intervention group and the waiting control group. The training included a theoretical section on mental and stress-related diseases as well as the interplay between work and health, group work on personal stress experience, theoretical input on dealing with mentally ill employees, and a group discussion on this topic along with case studies. Both groups completed the following questionnaires at baseline and three months after training: Effort–Reward Imbalance Questionnaire, Patient Health Questionnaire, Mental Health Knowledge Schedule, Social Distance Scale, and the Irritation Scale. Results: Compared to the waiting group, the intervention group showed a significant improvement in the Mental Health Knowledge Schedule (U = 417.00, p = 0.040) and an increase in the Irritation Scale (U = 371.50 p = 0.011). All other scales remained unchanged. Conclusion: The content and duration of the training were adequate to reduce cognitive stigma towards mental illness. However, the present approach was not sufficient for an improvement in the subjective stress level of the participating managers.

Evidence for the effectiveness of interventions to reduce mental health related stigma in the workplace: a systematic review

“…A vignette version of the Depression Personal and Perceived Stigma Scale32 showed significant reduction in personal stigma towards people with depression after 6 months and even at 2 years follow-up, but no significant changes were found in the control group. Similarly, the other four studies37 41–43 found significant reduction in stigmatising attitudes in their intervention group post-training, and 1–3 months follow-up, but no significant changes were found in the control groups. The effects of 3–7.5 hours face-to-face trainings were measured by the modified version of the Depression Stigma Personal Subscale,32 the Opening Minds Scale for Workplace Attitude,35 the Opening Minds Stigma Scale for Healthcare Providers44 and the Mental Health Knowledge Scale 43.…”

“…Similarly, the other four studies37 41–43 found significant reduction in stigmatising attitudes in their intervention group post-training, and 1–3 months follow-up, but no significant changes were found in the control groups. The effects of 3–7.5 hours face-to-face trainings were measured by the modified version of the Depression Stigma Personal Subscale,32 the Opening Minds Scale for Workplace Attitude,35 the Opening Minds Stigma Scale for Healthcare Providers44 and the Mental Health Knowledge Scale 43. Fire service line managers (n=106) were randomly assigned to either a 2 days or a 12 hours long training group or a control group (1 hour leaflet session) 39.…”

“…The effects of 3–7.5 hours face-to-face trainings were measured by the modified version of the Depression Stigma Personal Subscale, 32 the Opening Minds Scale for Workplace Attitude, 35 the Opening Minds Stigma Scale for Healthcare Providers 44 and the Mental Health Knowledge Scale. 43 Fire service line managers (n=106) were randomly assigned to either a 2 days or a 12 hours long training group or a control group (1 hour leaflet session). 39 The locally developed Knowledge and Efficacy about Mental Health Problems Scale revealed statistically significant improvements in stigma on mental health pretraining and post-training in both training settings, but not in the control group.…”

Sensemaking through the storm: How postpartum depression shapes personal work–family narratives.

“…Additionally, our results suggest that it is crucial that supervisors and coworkers are informed about the challenges linked to motherhood and mental illness to break down the dual stigma working mothers with PPD face. For example, a recent randomized trial by Gast et al (2022) found that managers who were assigned to a 1-day workshop focused on mental illnesses (vs. a control group) reported reduced stigma surrounding mental health. Furthermore, we suspect that greater awareness around mental health can broaden more positive workplaces that are supportive of mental health conditions and employee well-being.…”

“…Additionally, our results suggest that it is crucial that supervisors and coworkers are informed about the challenges linked to motherhood and mental illness to break down the dual stigma working mothers with PPD face. For example, a recent randomized trial by Gast et al (2022) found that managers who were assigned This document is copyrighted by the American Psychological Association or one of its allied publishers.…”