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Changes in rehabilitation actors´mental health literacy and support to employers: An evaluation of the SEAM intervention

Lexén, Annika LU ; Emmelin, Maria LU ; Hansson, Lars LU ; Svensson, Bengt LU ; Porter, Susann LU and Bejerholm, Ulrika LU (2021) In Work: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation 69(3). p.1053-1061
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Lack of mental health literacy among rehabilitation professionals and employers in the return-to-work of persons with mental health problems resulted in the development of a three-day group training program, the Support to Employers from rehabilitation Actors about Mental health (SEAM) intervention.

OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the impact of SEAM on rehabilitation professionals’ knowledge and beliefs, attitudes, and supporting behaviors towards people with mental health problems and employers as part of the return-to-work process.

METHODS:
In this longitudinal study, 94 rehabilitation professionals were included. Data were collected prior to (T1), immediately after (T2) and 6 months after SEAM training... (More)
BACKGROUND:
Lack of mental health literacy among rehabilitation professionals and employers in the return-to-work of persons with mental health problems resulted in the development of a three-day group training program, the Support to Employers from rehabilitation Actors about Mental health (SEAM) intervention.

OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the impact of SEAM on rehabilitation professionals’ knowledge and beliefs, attitudes, and supporting behaviors towards people with mental health problems and employers as part of the return-to-work process.

METHODS:
In this longitudinal study, 94 rehabilitation professionals were included. Data were collected prior to (T1), immediately after (T2) and 6 months after SEAM training (T3) using knowledge and attitude scales and a questionnaire on supporting behaviors. SEAM includes training in Mental Health First Aid, presentations and discussions on current research on work and mental health, and strategies and communication guidelines to use when meeting service users and employers as part of the return-to-work of persons with mental health problems. SEAM also includes a homepage with targeted employer information. Data were analyzed using non-parametric statistics.

RESULTS:
SEAM significantly increased rehabilitation professionals’ knowledge of mental health (T1-T2: z = –2.037, p = 0.042; T2-T3: z = –5.093, p = 0.001), and improved their attitudes towards persons with mental health problems (T1-T2: z = 4.984, p = 0.001). Professionals (50–60%) also estimated that they had increased their use of supporting strategies towards service users and employers.

CONCLUSIONS:
The study suggests that SEAM can increase mental health literacy among rehabilitation professionals and lead to a greater focus on service users’ resources and work ability, as well as on employers’ support needs. (Less)
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author
; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Work: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation
volume
69
issue
3
pages
1053 - 1061
publisher
IOS Press
external identifiers
  • scopus:85111154777
  • pmid:34219698
ISSN
1875-9270
DOI
10.3233/WOR-213535
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
f39ae485-3934-4123-aab3-3902403b5655
date added to LUP
2021-08-19 16:13:15
date last changed
2022-04-27 03:20:28
@article{f39ae485-3934-4123-aab3-3902403b5655,
  abstract     = {{BACKGROUND:<br/>Lack of mental health literacy among rehabilitation professionals and employers in the return-to-work of persons with mental health problems resulted in the development of a three-day group training program, the Support to Employers from rehabilitation Actors about Mental health (SEAM) intervention.<br/><br/>OBJECTIVE:<br/>To evaluate the impact of SEAM on rehabilitation professionals’ knowledge and beliefs, attitudes, and supporting behaviors towards people with mental health problems and employers as part of the return-to-work process.<br/><br/>METHODS:<br/>In this longitudinal study, 94 rehabilitation professionals were included. Data were collected prior to (T1), immediately after (T2) and 6 months after SEAM training (T3) using knowledge and attitude scales and a questionnaire on supporting behaviors. SEAM includes training in Mental Health First Aid, presentations and discussions on current research on work and mental health, and strategies and communication guidelines to use when meeting service users and employers as part of the return-to-work of persons with mental health problems. SEAM also includes a homepage with targeted employer information. Data were analyzed using non-parametric statistics.<br/><br/>RESULTS:<br/>SEAM significantly increased rehabilitation professionals’ knowledge of mental health (T1-T2: z = –2.037, p = 0.042; T2-T3: z = –5.093, p = 0.001), and improved their attitudes towards persons with mental health problems (T1-T2: z = 4.984, p = 0.001). Professionals (50–60%) also estimated that they had increased their use of supporting strategies towards service users and employers.<br/><br/>CONCLUSIONS:<br/>The study suggests that SEAM can increase mental health literacy among rehabilitation professionals and lead to a greater focus on service users’ resources and work ability, as well as on employers’ support needs.}},
  author       = {{Lexén, Annika and Emmelin, Maria and Hansson, Lars and Svensson, Bengt and Porter, Susann and Bejerholm, Ulrika}},
  issn         = {{1875-9270}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{3}},
  pages        = {{1053--1061}},
  publisher    = {{IOS Press}},
  series       = {{Work: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation}},
  title        = {{Changes in rehabilitation actors´mental health literacy and support to employers: An evaluation of the SEAM intervention}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.3233/WOR-213535}},
  doi          = {{10.3233/WOR-213535}},
  volume       = {{69}},
  year         = {{2021}},
}