Return-to-work support for employees with mental health problems: Identifying and responding to key challenges of sick leave

ObjectivesTo develop effective return to work (RTW) interventions for employees on sick leave due to mental health problems (MHPs), a better understanding of individual variation in the RTW process is needed. We investigated which RTW trajectories can be identified among employees with MHPs in terms of RTW duration and relapse occurrence during the RTW process. Additionally, we examined how different RTW trajectories can be described in terms of personal and work characteristics.MethodsLongitudinal sickness absence registry data were collected retrospectively from the largest Dutch occupational health service. Quantitative RTW information as well as personal and work characteristics were extracted. In total, 9517 employees with a sickness absence due to MHPs were included in the analyses (62 938 data points; RTW durations from 29 to 730 days).ResultsA latent class transition analysis revealed five distinct RTW trajectories, namely (1) fast RTW with little chance of relapse, (2) slow RTW with little chance of relapse, (3) fast RTW with considerable chance of relapse, (4) slow RTW with considerable chance of relapse and (5) very fast RTW with very small chance of relapse. Differences between employees in the slower and faster trajectories were observed regarding gender, age, type of MHP, organisation sector and organisation size but not regarding part-time work.ConclusionsRTW trajectories among employees with MHPs showed large individual variability and differed on personal and work characteristics. Knowledge on different RTW trajectories and their characteristics contributes to the development of personalised RTW treatments, tailored to specific individuals and organisations.

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

Work ◽

10.3233/wor-213535 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Annika Lexén ◽

Maria Emmelin ◽

Lars Hansson ◽

Bengt Svensson ◽

Susann Porter ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Return To Work ◽

Mental Health Literacy ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Problems ◽

Service Users ◽

Rehabilitation Professionals ◽

Knowledge And Beliefs ◽

The Impact

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.

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Absenteeism due to mental health problems and systems for return to work: an internet-based unmatched case–control study

International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health ◽

10.1007/s00420-016-1162-2 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 89 (8) ◽

pp. 1279-1287 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Shotaro Doki ◽

Shinichiro Sasahara ◽

Yasuhito Hirai ◽

Yuichi Oi ◽

Ichiyo Matsuzaki

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Return To Work ◽

Case Control Study ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Problems ◽

Case Control ◽

Control Study

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Supervisory behaviour as a predictor of return to work in employees absent from work due to mental health problems

Occupational and Environmental Medicine ◽

10.1136/oem.2003.009688 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 61 (10) ◽

pp. 817-823 ◽

Cited By ~ 105

Author(s):

K Nieuwenhuijsen

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Return To Work ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Problems

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Perspectives of unemployed workers with mental health problems: barriers to and solutions for return to work

Disability and Rehabilitation ◽

10.1080/09638288.2016.1242170 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 40 (1) ◽

pp. 28-34 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Selwin S. Audhoe ◽

Karen Nieuwenhuijsen ◽

Jan L. Hoving ◽

Judith K. Sluiter ◽

Monique H. W. Frings-Dresen

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Return To Work ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Problems

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Psychosocial Work Environment and Certified Sick Leave among Nurses during Organizational Changes and Downsizing

Relations industrielles ◽

10.7202/012156ar ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 60 (3) ◽

pp. 483-509 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Renée Bourbonnais ◽

Chantal Brisson ◽

Michel Vézina ◽

Benoît Masse ◽

Caty Blanchette

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Sick Leave ◽

Psychosocial Factors ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Problems ◽

Psychosocial Work Factors ◽

Organizational Changes ◽

Psychosocial Work ◽

Telephone Interviews ◽

Work Factors

The study aimed to determine whether the incidence and duration of certified sick leave (CSL) among nurses had increased during major restructuring of the health care system in the province of Québec, and to determine whether nurses exposed to adverse psychosocial factors at work showed an increased incidence of CSL. It involved nurses working in 13 health facilities. Sickness absence data were retrieved from administrative files (n = 1454). Incidence of CSL for all diagnoses and for mental health problems was examined. Telephone interviews were conducted to measure psychosocial factors at work with validated instruments. There was an increase in CSL among nurses during the restructuring, particularly for mental health problems. Modifiable adverse psychosocial work factors were identified and provide basis for interventions. Since human resources are the mainstay and primary resource of the health network, it is essential that people be able to perform their work under optimal conditions.

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