In the latest research, the main focus is on the implementation of acceptance-based mental health intervention, known as Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT-W), created by Dr. Paul Flaxman and Ross McIntosh in St. George’s city, to adapt it to the unique socio-cultural and economic environment of Uganda.
Ugandan workers face mental health issues due to unsafe working conditions, necessitating accessible and effective mental health promotion programs. The program promises to bridge this gap by equipping workers with tools needed to manage stress, anxiety, and other common mental health issues in the workplace. The study was published in PLOS Mental Health.
Mental Health Issues
It is estimated that 15% of all working adults worldwide experience mental health-related problems, costing about 1 trillion USD annually and 12 billion workdays. The burden of mental health seems even greater in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where 75% of the world’s workforce resides. In LMICs like Uganda, mental health disorders often go untreated due to lack of resources, with approximately 68% of Ugandan workers experiencing some form of mental health issues, as shown in the study.
Despite this, over 78% of Ugandan employers do not provide any official mental health support. This service gap is further compounded by the societal stigma surrounding mental health in Uganda, which prevents many workers from seeking help. The study emphasizes that workers often face stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues without proper support, negatively impacting their productivity and quality of life.
Culturally Sensitive Approach to Mental Health Promotion at Work
Acceptance and Commitment Training in the Workplace (ACT-W) was initially developed in St. George’s city and tested in high-income countries such as the UK. These trainings were widely implemented in the UK National Health Service (NHS) to help improve the mental health of healthcare workers.
The training fosters psychological flexibility, which entails a willingness to experience internal states that may arise in pursuit of personally valued actions and goals. The program helps workers better understand everyday actions with personal significance and learn to perform them even when experiencing challenging thoughts and emotions.
While ACT-W was highly successful in high-income countries, the research team realized that Uganda’s cultural and economic context required adjustments for the program to be suitable for its workforce. For example, community values are highly important in Uganda, so the training needs to emphasize group well-being rather than solely focusing on individual goals.
To achieve this, researchers collaborated with 14 mental health service providers living and working in Kampala, Uganda, and the program content was adapted to include more references to community values. Language and metaphors used in the training were also tailored to better align with Ugandan culture, which often views mental health through spirituality and traditional beliefs.
Reducing Mental Health Stigma
One of the main challenges identified in the study is Uganda’s mental health stigma. Therefore, many Ugandans are reluctant to openly discuss their mental health, especially in the workplace.
To address this, the ACT-W program includes elements of mental health awareness and education. The goal is to reduce stigma by showing that mental health can be improved by learning psychological and behavioral skills.
Benefits for Ugandan Workers and Employers
The potential benefits of ACT-W for Ugandan workers are significant. The program teaches employees to skillfully connect with their emotions and not forget personal values even in challenging circumstances. This can improve mental well-being, job satisfaction, and productivity.
Employers stand to gain clear advantages. Healthier, resilient employees are likely to work better, have fewer sick days, and contribute to a more positive workplace atmosphere. In a country currently lacking mental health support, programs like ACT-W could be one economically efficient way to enhance employee well-being and, in turn, business outcomes.
Dr. Khamisi Musanje, lead researcher from Makerere University, said, „Improving mental health in the workplace is not just about personal well-being but also about creating a healthier, more productive workforce for Uganda’s future.“
Dr. Paul Flaxman, collaborator and lecturer from the Psychology Department at St. George’s city, said, „The findings of this study are intriguing as they show that evidence-based mental health training programs, such as ACT-W, can be adapted to various contexts. We hope that ACT-W will increase Ugandan workers‘ access to this type of training, which has proven popular and effective among UK workers.“
The next phase of the project involves implementing the adapted ACT-W program in Ugandan workplaces and evaluating its effectiveness. If successful, this could serve as a model for other resource-constrained environments to improve mental health in the workplace.
Provided by City St George’s, University of London.