Line managers and mental health at work: the business case and evidence-based intervention.

FREE for ALL (please log in on the SOM website first). 

Session details:

Speakers: Professor Holly Blake (Chair), Dr Juliet Hassard, Dr Louise Thomson.
Date/time: Tuesday 2nd December 1-2pm

In this session, we highlight selected findings from a £1.7 million funded research programme examining the causal links between workplace mental health and wellbeing practices and productivity. We will present the rationale for promoting mental health through workplace settings, including the economic impact of mental ill-health, and the business case for organisations to invest in policies and practices to support mental health at work. The national and international policy context will be outlined. We will describe the important role of line managers in supporting mental health and share findings from our research highlighting patterns in the provision of line manager training and the relationship between training line managers in mental health, and key organisational outcomes. We will share details of two evidence-based line manager training innovations: Managing Minds at Work, and The SUPPORT Business Values Framework which identifies core values and guiding principles to support a strategic, values-driven approach to workplace wellbeing. This framework identifies seven core values and guiding principles essential for embedding mental health into organisational culture through strategic leadership and HR practices. This session offers valuable insights for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers seeking to enhance workplace mental health and wellbeing.
 

Speaker Biographies

Professor Holly Blake, Professor of Behavioural Medicine and a health psychologist at the University of Nottingham, in the UK. Holly is a prolific author and is listed in the Global Top 0.4% of cited scientists in ‘workforce’ research. Her research focuses on work and health, self-management of chronic conditions and digital innovations for health and wellbeing. Her work has been cited as best practice in policy documents in the UK, Europe, Asia and Australasia, including the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, and the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work.

Dr Juliet Hassard, an occupational health psychologist and Reader in Human Resource Management and Organisational Behaviour, at Queen’s Business School, Queen’s University Belfast, in Northern Ireland. She is a sought-after speaker in the UK and Europe. Her research examines the design and development of psychologically safe and healthy workplaces through working systems, management and leadership practices, and organisational policies. Juliet has expertise in the impact, management, and prevention of work-related stress through prevention-orientated strategies.

Dr Louise Thomson, a registered Occupational Psychologist and Chartered Psychologist, an Associate Professor in Occupational Psychology at the University of Nottingham in the UK and lead academic for research support and consultancy at the Institute of Mental Health. She specialises in psychological, social and organisational issues in occupational health, mental well-being at work, job retention and return-to-work. Louise has played a role in policy development, such as the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines on both return-to-work and mental wellbeing at work.

Chair: Professor Holly Blake

FREE for ALL (please log in on the SOM website). You will then be sent the join link.