Moving toward an integrated prevention approach for mental health at work: Promoting workers' involvement through concrete actions.

Abstract

Work-related mental health problems are a primary cause of disability and lead to the absence of 500,000 workers each week in Canada. There is a growing body of literature suggesting integrated approaches of prevention are necessary to improve mental health at work. The involvement of numerous stakeholders inclusive of government agents, employers, and workers is recommended. However, only minimal information is available to suggest actions workers may adopt toward an integrated approach of prevention to improve mental health at work. The aim of the study was to identify behaviors workers may adopt to foster mental health at work. Following a descriptive qualitative research design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with researchers, professionals, and workers. Data were analyzed using a template analysis strategy. A total of 49 concrete behaviors were identified, grouped into ten sub-themes, and three broad themes. These main themes identify those behaviors that appear to be useful throughout the prevention continuum: 1) adopting a reflexive practice, 2) acting for one's own mental health, and 3) acting for mental health of others. In harmony with the integrated prevention approach, this study offers a framework to organize workers' concrete actions contributing to mental health.