Managing Minds at Work: Development of a Digital Line Manager Training Program.

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Digital Health Interventions
• Workplace Mental Wellbeing

Background:

• Mental ill-health is a leading cause of sickness absence, imposing significant economic burdens.
• Workplace interventions are crucial for preventing mental ill-health and supporting employee wellbeing.
• The "Managing Minds at Work" program was developed to address these needs through a preventative digital approach.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the design and development of the "Managing Minds at Work" digital training program.
• To outline the co-design and user-centered development process.
• To report on initial pilot and usability testing findings prior to feasibility studies.

Main Methods:

• Collaborative participatory design, including co-design and user-centered principles.
• Agile methodology used for content co-creation with a stakeholder virtual community of practice.
• Development aligned with the Medical Research Council (MRC) framework for complex interventions.

Main Results:

• The program covers five key areas: self-care, work design, stress management competencies, mental health conversations, and psychological safety.
• Pilot and usability testing (n=37) indicated the program is perceived as useful, relevant, and easy to use by managers.
• Positive impacts were observed on manager attitudes and behavioral intentions towards preventing mental ill-health and promoting wellbeing.

Conclusions:

• The "Managing Minds at Work" digital program is a stakeholder-endorsed, adaptable intervention for diverse organizations.
• Initial testing suggests favorable manager perceptions and positive shifts in attitudes and intentions.
• Further feasibility and acceptability testing in various employment settings is warranted.