A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial to Evaluate HeadCoach: An Online Mental Health Training Program for Workplace Managers

Aimée Gayed; Bridget T Bryan; Anthony D LaMontagne; Allison Milner; Mark Deady; Rafael A Calvo; Andrew Mackinnon; Helen Christensen; Arnstein Mykletun; Nicholas Glozier; Samuel B Harvey

doi:10.1097/JOM.0000000000001597

A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial to Evaluate HeadCoach: An Online Mental Health Training Program for Workplace Managers

J Occup Environ Med. 2019 Jul;61(7):545-551. doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000001597.

Authors

Aimée Gayed¹, Bridget T Bryan, Anthony D LaMontagne, Allison Milner, Mark Deady, Rafael A Calvo, Andrew Mackinnon, Helen Christensen, Arnstein Mykletun, Nicholas Glozier, Samuel B Harvey

Affiliation

¹ School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia (Ms Gayed and Dr Mykletun); Black Dog Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia (Ms Bryan, Dr Deady, Dr Mackinnon, Dr Christensen, and Dr Harvey); Centre for Population Health Research, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia (Dr LaMontagne); School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia (Dr LaMontagne and Dr Milner); School of Electrical and Information Engineering, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia (Dr Calvo); Centre for Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia (Dr Mackinnon); Department of Mental Health and Suicide, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway (Dr Mykletun); Department of Community Medicine, University of Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway (Dr Mykletun); Centre for Work and Mental Health, Nordland Hospital Trust, Bodø, Norway (Dr Mykletun); Centre for Research and Education in Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway (Dr Mykletun); and Brain and Mind Centre & Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia (Dr Glozier).

PMID: 31045851
DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000001597

Abstract

Objective: Mental ill-health is now the leading cause of sickness absence and occupational incapacity in high-income countries. This study evaluated HeadCoach online manager training, designed to improve confidence, and managerial behaviors that create mentally healthy workplaces.

Methods: A cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted comparing managers who received HeadCoach (N = 87) to waitlist control (N = 123). Managers' confidence and behavior were investigated at baseline, postintervention, and follow-up. Psychological distress of direct reports was evaluated.

Results: Confidence significantly increased postintervention only; however, per-protocol analyses indicated a significant improvement for program completers compared with control at both time points. Responsive and preventive behaviors significantly improved. Psychological distress of direct reports remained unchanged.

Conclusions: HeadCoach online mental health training is an effective and scalable way to improve managers' confidence and workplace practices around mental health. The impact on direct reports remains unknown.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Computer-Assisted Instruction*
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Health Promotion / methods*
Humans
Internet
Male
Mental Health / education*
Middle Aged
Occupational Health / education*
Outcome Assessment, Health Care
Personnel Management / methods*
Self Concept
Self Report
Workplace / psychology*
Young Adult

Associated data

ANZCTR/ACTRN12617000279325