Early detection and treatment of mental illness in the workplace – an intervention study

Abstract

Introduction

Conditions of depression and anxiety among employees’ leads to increased absenteeism and decreased social and professional function.

Objectives

To test a collaborative model for contributing to mental health at work at the lowest interference and highest possible availability among Danish workers.

Aims

To investigate the effect of early detection and treatment in order to interrupt and improve conditions of clinical and sub-clinical levels of mental illness.

Methods

Self-reporting questionnaires were used for identification of clinical and sub-clinical cases of mental illness and for follow-up. Four questionnaires were distributed to all employees in six medium-large companies in Denmark (n = 1292) during a period of 16 months. Employees meeting the screening criteria were assessed diagnostically. Outpatient psychiatric treatment was offered to employees diagnosed with mental illness and preventive CBT-session to those assessed with sub-clinical conditions. Follow-up questionnaires were filled out after 6 and 12 months. Data were analysed using repeated measure mixed effects linear regression.

Results

Of the 587 (55%) employees that returned the questionnaires, 58 were referred to either outpatient psychiatric treatment (n = 38) or preventive treatment (n = 20). Levels of psychopathology decreased significantly in both treated groups. Comparing with the pre-treatment period, a significant positive difference in change in psychopathology was detected for employees in psychiatric treatment. Measured up to healthy controls, the self-perceived level of stress also decreased significantly among employees in psychiatric treatment.

Conclusions

An integrated collaborative model for early detection and treatment was beneficial in order to interrupt and improve the course of mental health problems among Danish employees.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.