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.

The aims of this qualitative grounded theory study were to explore how politicians accountable for Swedish elderly care viewed their assignment, their beliefs and knowledge regarding the psychosocial work environment for elderly care employees, the factors affecting their work environment, and how these politicians regarded elderly care during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study consisted of 41 interviews with politicians in municipalities across Sweden. Three categories emerged from the analysis: (1) interpretation of the assignment directs the focus; (2) recognizing shortfalls in the employees’ work environment; and (3) exposing deficiencies due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The strongest category was identified as interpretation of the assignment directs the focus and was described as the delivery of good and quality care. Nevertheless, this study highlights shortfalls in the delivery of care services where the employees’ work environment, especially in the home care sector, was frequently described as stressful. The COVID-19 pandemic adversely affected the work situation for staff in elderly care. In that setting, staff shortage and lack of competency were common. Nurses were particularly affected by high workload and responsibility. Further research should explore civil servant roles in the elderly care sector and how these actors view their collaboration with municipality politicians.

BACKGROUND:Mental health problems are the main cause of sick leave in today’s working age population. Employers are responsible for their employees’ work environment and preventing work-related illnesses, but their knowledge regarding mental health problems is lacking. Employer beliefs and support strategies need further exploration. OBJECTIVE:To explore employers’ beliefs, knowledge and strategies use in providing support to employees with mental health problems. METHODS:This grounded theory study comprised 24 interviews with employers in a variety of workplaces, and included women and men in large and small organizations in a Swedish context. RESULTS:Two categories related to the aims emerged: comprehending mental health problems is complex, and lacking established conditions to support work. The results show that employers seek to support employees with mental health problems but have low expectations and lack knowledge and strategies. Employers acknowledged experiences of inadequate support and collaboration from other actors in the return-to-work (RTW) process. CONCLUSIONS:To close the service gap and improve the RTW process, employers need to increase their mental health literacy. Other actors need to improve their understanding of employer situations and provide them with necessary support. 

BACKGROUND:Individuals with mental health problems often need support from vocational rehabilitation professionals in their return-to-work (RTW) process. Research has shown that this support can be deficient, with vocational rehabilitation professionals lacking relevant knowledge and an underlying belief in the individual’s ability to resume a working life. More understanding is therefore needed of professionals’ mental health literacy and their perception of and influence on employer roles in the RTW process.OBJECTIVE:To explore the mental health literacy of Swedish vocational rehabilitation professionals and their perception of employers in the RTW process.METHOD:Qualitative grounded theory study which included 22 interviews of vocational rehabilitation professionals working with individuals with mental health problems in their RTW process.RESULTS:Three categories emerged: holding a position of power in the RTW process, viewing and believing in individuals’ work ability plays a central role, and recognizing the employer’s role as a key factor for realizing employment.CONCLUSION:Increasing the mental health literacy of vocational rehabilitation professionals is crucial since they have a decisive role with both clients and employers in the RTW process.

BACKGROUND:Depression is among the major causes of disability with a negative impact on both daily life and work performance. Whilst depression is the primary cause of sick-leave and unemployment in today’s workplace there is a lack of knowledge of the needs of individuals with depression regarding their return-to-work (RTW) process.OBJECTIVE:To explore which factors are of critical importance for people suffering from depression and who also are unemployed in their RTW-process and to explore the impact of two vocational approaches on the service users’ experiences. The study included participants in two vocational rehabilitation approaches; Individual Enabling and Support (IES) and Traditional Vocational Rehabilitation (TVR).METHOD:Qualitative methods were applied to explore critical factors in the RTW-process. Individuals with affective disorders including depression and bipolar disorder were included.RESULTSThree themes emerged as critical factors; Experiencing hope and power, professionals’ positive attitudes, beliefs and behaviours, and employing a holistic perspective and integrating health and vocational service.CONCLUSIONThis study has demonstrated critical factors for the return-to-work process as experienced by persons with depression. To experience hope and power, to meet professionals that believe “you can work”, who use a person-centred and holistic service approach, are such factors necessary for gaining a real job. In particular, professionals in TVR need to embrace this understanding since their services were not experienced as including these elements.