Opportunities and challenges in the delivery and evaluation of the Business in Mind program.

Transcription

1 Opportunities and challenges in the delivery and evaluation of the Business in Mind program.

2 Outline What is an SME? Stress and depression in SMEs Workplace health promotion in SMEs Business in Mind The program The evaluation Evaluation issues What we ve learned Where to next?

3 What is an SME? SME (Small to Medium Enterprise): A small business has less than 20 employees A medium business has between 20 and 199 employees SMEs have less than 200 employees Source:

4 Stress and depression in SMEs Higher in SMEs? Job Strain: high demands, low control Responsibility to employees, family and self Few people, resources to turn to for support Lack knowledge, skills, time to manage pressure

5 So What? Organisational and personal costs Reduced productivity, business performance Business failure Global economic consequences Over 2 million active SMEs in Australia Represent 99.6% of all businesses 33% of GDP

6 Mental Health Promotion in SMEs Negative health & economic outcomes more acute SMEs neglected by occupational health research & practice Practice guidelines, mental health promotion programs tailored to the needs of the SME sector are underdeveloped

7 Business in Mind DVD and Resource Kit A free DVD and Resource Kit Assist SME owner/managers look after their mental health and wellbeing, and their employees Features business owners discussing the stresses involved in running a business and information from mental health experts Preventative of and responsive to current mental health issues

8 Business in Mind DVD and Resource Kit Inclusion criteria: Current managerial role within a business employing less than 200 employees Over 18 years of age Have access to a telephone and computer/dvd player

9 Business in Mind Modules 1. Managing mental health e.g. mental health help and information 2. Coping with stress e.g. signs of stress, changing behaviour 3. Positive relationships e.g. communication style 4. Creating balance e.g. time management, work/life balance 5. Positive growth e.g. planning ahead

10 Business in Mind: Proposed Theoretical Model Study Protocol Paper: Martin A et al (2009). Promoting mental health in small-medium enterprises: An evaluation of the "Business in Mind" program. BMC Public Health, 9;239.

11 Business in Mind: Evaluation Owner/managers are randomly allocated to receive one of the following packages: 1. A DVD and Resource Kit: Managing mental health issues in the workplace 2. A longer version of the DVD and Resource Kit that includes the above PLUS material on reducing stress and maintaining a positive worklife balance 3. All of the above PLUS telephone support to help act on relevant aspects of the material NB: those allocated to group 1 will have the opportunity to view the longer DVD later in the study if desired

12 What s Involved? 5 surveys (online or postal) Feelings about work; Dealing with the challenges it presents Impacts on health and wellbeing Evaluative thoughts on the DVD and resources Baseline Before receiving the DVD and resource kit Follow ups at 3, 6 and 12 months

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14 Recruitment Aims Project launched October 2010 Target: 250 SME owner/managers Estimated to reach within 6 months Original recruitment methods: SMEs throughout Tasmania From networks of partner organizations (beyondblue, Workcover Tasmania, and TCCI) Employees of participating managers invited to participate Estimated approx. 10 per manager would agree

15 Extra Recruitment Strategies Expanded to include NGOs January 2011 Additional funding from Beyond Blue Began recruiting nationally July 2011 Current numbers: 220 managers: 165 SMEs, 55 NGOs 34 employees

16 Extra Recruitment Strategies Advocacy/endorsement: current participants, project partners Small business interest groups & services: e.g.cosboa, Small Business Council, business.gov.au Industry groups: e.g. Master Builders Association, Pharmacy Guild Print media: e.g. news articles, syndicated small business blogs e.g. The Venture The Age, SMH Social media: Facebook, Twitter, Linked In

17 Business in Mind sample: Socio-demographics N % Age years years years Gender Male Female Education No post high school Post high school Work Hours 0-40 hours hours

18 Business in Mind sample: Business characteristics N % Organisation Size No employees employees employees employees Supervise Employees No Yes

19 Business in Mind sample: Work & non-work incidents, psychological distress 48% reported a critical incident at work had a negative effect on psychological wellbeing? e.g. financial stress, interpersonal conflict 92% reported a stressful life event e.g. relationship, health, financial, family, employment Almost 40% reported high or very high psychological distress

20 Reasons for Engagement Experience of mental health issues: I have previously had an employee who had depression issues and I felt I was not equipped to help her very well. I have suffered times of stress and depression for a number of years. Help seeking: I suspect I am stressed or depressed. I am starting to bear the strains of being in business.

21 Reasons for Engagement Business improvement: Improve business management. Learning how to better manage people with depression and anxiety may make for a better workplace. Improve mental health awareness, education: educate team members and learn more about mental health. Awareness of how to deal with, recognise the issue

22 Research in SMEs: What have we learned? Body of knowledge surrounding doing SME research is scant Accessing and engaging SMEs is difficult Limited time to participate Unrepresentative sample How do we access those we ve missed?

23 Research in SMEs: What have we learned? Positive feedback from participants Relevant, helpful and had a positive impact Most would recommend to others in small business Leanne Faulkner: Owner of Billie Goat Soap, Business in Mind participant and supporter

24 Where to next? Review 3-month, 6-month and 12-moth follow up survey results Adapt and improve the Business in Mind DVD and resource kit accordingly

25 Business in Mind View a sample of the DVD on YouTube Business in Mind DVD Visit out website Or, contact us business.in.mind@utas.edu.au Phone:

26 Acknowledgments Research Team Angela Martin (CI) Kristy Sanderson Jenn Scott Paula Brough Michelle Kilpatrick Sarah Dawkins Funding Bodies ARC Linkage Workcover Tasmania TCCI Beyond Blue