Educating business students to manage for mental health
| Published date | 29 August 2019 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JMHTEP-01-2019-0005 |
| Pages | 315-326 |
| Date | 29 August 2019 |
| Author | Sheldene K. Simola |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care |
Educating business students to manage
for mental health
Sheldene K. Simola
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to describe content topics and teaching methods for a new
undergraduate course in business administration on managing for workplace mental health. It then discusses
a preliminary evaluation of the course.
Design/methodology/approach –Research-supported content and teaching methods were developed
and implemented. n ¼18 undergraduates completed pre- and post-course quantitative measures related to
course goals, and a qualitative post-course survey about course content and delivery.
Findings –Analysis of pre- and post-course quantitative measures demonstrated significant increases in
mental health-related knowledge; other-directed, mental health supportive behaviours; mental health
promotion self-efficacy; mental health promotion intentions; and self-compassion; as well as significant
decreases in stigmatising attitudes. Effect sizes were moderate to large, indicating usefulness. Qualitative,
post-course data indicated that positive aspects of course content were those that enhanced knowledge of
mental health conditions; skills for managing workplace mental health concerns; and attitudes towards those
suffering from mental illness. Qualitative post-course data indicated that positive aspects of course delivery
were specific teaching strategies and teaching qualities.
Research limitations/implications –Results support the continued development and use of a course for
business students on managing workplace mental health. Additional, larger scale evaluation would be helpful.
Practical implications –Detailed information is provided about the course structure, content, resources
and teaching methods, which could be used in other settings.
Social implications –The workplace is an important site for early identification and intervention of mental
health concerns, regardless of their origin or cause. This research supports the usefulness of training
prospective business managers in this regard.
Originality/value –Coverage of mental health-related topics with business students has been scant to
absent. This project developed, implemented and evaluated a new course.
Keywords Business, Mental health, Workplace, Mental illness, Organizational, Psychological health
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
During the last decade, multiple factors have contributed to a burgeoning interest in workplace
mental health. These have included the substantial economic costs associated with employee
mental health concerns (Hassard et al., 2018) as well as evolving legal requirements for
supporting employee mental health (Butler, 2018; Lockwood et al., 2017). Indeed, a large
number of workplace psychological health guidelines have emerged from within various
jurisdictions (Memish et al., 2017), and these both signal and spur interest in this area.
A body of research on the role that workplace leaders can serve in supporting employee mental
health has also emerged (Kelloway et al., 2013, 2017). Often this has focussed on the role of
managers in the primary prevention of “context-specific”(i.e. work-related) (Warr, 1987) mental
health concerns (Kelloway, 2017). For example, a number of organisational factors can influence
the mental health of employees. These include employee involvement, employee recognition,
work–life balance, health and safety, and opportunities for growth and development (Grawitch,
et al., 2015) as well as the nature of workplace relationships, and a culture of support, respect
and fairness (Kelloway and Day, 2005; Samra, 2017).
Received 18 January 2019
Revised 22 February 2019
26 April 2019
2 July 2019
Accepted 22 July 2019
Sheldene K. Simola is based at
School of Business, Trent
University, Peterborough,
Canada.
DOI 10.1108/JMHTEP-01-2019-0005 VOL. 14 NO. 5 2019, pp. 315-326, © Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 1755-6228
j
THE JOURNAL OF MENTALHEALTH TRAINING, EDUCATION AND PRACTICE
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