Title: Addressing the Mental Health and Productivity of Young Workers using Contextual Behavioural Science
Funder: Economic and Social Research Council

Abstract: My PhD aimed to test the effectiveness of a new model (Contextual Behaviour Science, CBS) and intervention (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, ACT) to improve mental health and performance at work. This work has been well received by the scientific community and has already initiated and informed multiple impact and dissemination activities: 1) publications in high-impact factor journals (e.g., Health Psychology, Journal of Affective Disorders, Psychology & Health, Plos One), 2) the development of a new workplace intervention (MENTOR) in my current post in the large Mental Health and Productivity Pilot (MHPP, https://mhpp.me/), 3) it has attracted international interest from the Head of Research (Dr Bayoumi), University of Birmingham (Dubai) to jointly write (as a Co-I) a proposal in response to the request from the CEO - HR Policies Sector of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) to address the mental health needs of government employees in the United Arabic Emirates (UAE). Although some impact activities have been initiated, this fellowship will be instrumental to continuing my work in this field and helping me shape expertise and development towards becoming an independent scientist in CBS occupational health psychology. This fellowship has three objectives: Objective 1. To maximise the impact of my research by engaging in dissemination activities, nationally and internationally. To achieve this objective, I will: Collaborate: deepen a national and international collaboration with academics and stakeholders interested in workplace mental health at the University of Birmingham (Dubai), the MHPP network, with senior youth mental health experts and the Youth Advisory Board (YAB) at the Institute for Mental Health (IMH), University of Birmingham (Edgbaston). Disseminate: -Deliver a stakeholder webinar to employees and managers interested in improving performance and mental health at work; -Deliver a one-day academic seminar at the University of Birmingham (Dubai); -Deliver a two-day Train-the-Trainer programme to the FAHR, Dubai; -Attend an International Occupational Psychology Conference; -Attend the Association for Contextual Behaviour Science Conference; -Submit one article for a high-impact press journal (e.g. The Conversation). Objective 2. To work towards and further develop my capability of becoming an established and independent academic in a leading UK University. To achieve this objective, I will: Supervise: -Contribute to the MSc in Mental Health (dissertation module) with 10 hours of supervision and produce a final paper based on the topic of my PhD. I will also continue the supervision of my current PhD student. Lead: -Form and lead a new IMH research sub-theme research group entitled 'Employment and Mental Health' in the Mood Disorders Lab group led by Prof Marwaha. Objective 3: To expand and further develop the work conducted during my PhD, building the foundations for future grant proposals. To achieve this objective, I will: Adapt the intervention: -In accordance with the guidelines for developing complex interventions (Skivington et al., 2021), adapt the model and intervention used in my PhD for young people at work informed by recent reviews (e.g., Newman et al., 2021) and reports (e.g., Deloitte Global, 2021) and by a stakeholder consultation group meeting with young workers (from the YAB), young people with mental health difficulties, psychologists, psychiatrists, and healthcare providers, to gather their views, needs and feedback on the adaptation of the current intervention. -Preliminary test the adapted intervention using a single group case pilot study. Develop a grant proposal. Attend a grant writing training course and develop an ESRC New Investigator Grant proposal, which will likely include a larger feasibility or pragmatic randomised controlled trial testing the adapted intervention.

Lay abstract: Mental health problems affect one in six workers each year and are the leading cause of sickness absence (Deloitte, 2020). Offering mental health support in the workplace can be an effective public health intervention to help remediate common issues (e.g. anxiety, depression) and ultimately improve productivity at work (Prudenzi et al., 2021). A novel approach that has been suggested to promote employees' mental and physical health is CBS (Bond & Bunce, 2003). This model and intervention aim to promote mental health of employees by helping them to be more aware, open and active. This is achieved through the process of 'psychological flexibility'. My PhD thesis aimed to test the CBS psychological model and therapy (ACT) to improve mental health and reduce work-related stress of healthcare employees. My doctoral thesis addressed several gaps in the literature and produced four studies. In combination, the findings from my thesis found that the CBS model, ACT intervention, and the hypothesised resilience skills (psychological flexibility and self-compassion) were beneficial to improving mental health in healthcare employees. The landscape of workplace mental health has dramatically changed since the start of my PhD. Increased technology, the continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic, technological advancements and financial stressors have led to poorer mental health in young people with an increased risk of unemployment (Bartelink et al., 2020, for a review). Highly relevant UK funders (e.g. Wellcome Trust), recent reports (e.g. Deloitte Generation Z and Millennials', 2021), policymakers (e.g. EUniWell) and the latest Mental Health at Work guideline (NICE) have all launched a call for evidence-based interventions that improve mental health of young people at work. With the help of multiple experienced academics, partners, young people, and stakeholders I would like to further develop, advance and implement my work for helping young people's mental health. This fellowship has three objectives: 1) to further increase the impact and dissemination of my research and reach international visibility; 2) to develop my abilities to become an independent academic, and; 3) to expand and develop the work conducted during my PhD to help remediate common youth mental health problems (e.g. anxiety, depression) and likely improve their engagement at work. With this fellowship I aim to: Collaborate with: a) academics of the University of Birmingham (Dubai) and the UAE FAHR stakeholders, b) academics and partners of the MHPP project, c) senior youth mental health experts and the YAB at the IMH University of Birmingham (Edgbaston campus); Disseminate: deliver a stakeholder webinar, attend an International Occupational Psychology Conference and a CBS Conference, publish an article in a public news outlet, deliver a Train-the-Trainer training programme and an academic seminar (University of Birmingham, Dubai); Supervise: supervising master's level student projects and a PhD student; Lead: form and lead a new IMH research sub-theme group entitled 'Employment and Mental Health' in the Mood Disorders Lab group (Prof Marwaha); Adapt the intervention: adapt the CBS intervention used in my PhD to help young people improve their mental health and productivity at work; Develop a grant proposal: improve my writing skills and develop the New Investigator Grant application. This fellowship will aim to empower me and consolidate the relevant skillset for my future career as a scientist-practitioner: designing, administering and evaluating interventions for improving mental health in the workplace. This fellowship would enhance the range of academic employment opportunities available to me in this field. That said, my drive to undertake this fellowship is not solely fuelled by the opportunities that will emerge upon completion but also by the prospect of engaging in the process of pursuing a research avenue that I care about deeply.

Research activity codes: 3.1 PRIMARY PREVENTION INTERVENTIONS TO MODIFY BEHAVIOURS OR PROMOTE WELL-BEING
Health categories: MENTAL HEALTH