Exploring the experience of mental health staff in wellbeing training focussing on their mental toughness and burnout

Abstract

Background
Burnout in mental health staff is a major problem. Mental toughness, the capacity of an individual to deal effectively with stressors, pressures and challenges, has been associated with lower symptoms of burnout.
Aim
To explore the experience of mental health staff of participating in wellbeing training focussed on their mental toughness and burnout.
Methodology and methods
A pragmatic paradigm using a convergent parallel mixed methods design was selected. A literature review informed the idea for wellbeing training for mental health staff. A Nominal Group Technique (NGT) with ten mental health staff from two mental health rehabilitation units identified strategies and techniques that could help with burnout and mental toughness.
The training consisted of a variety of mental toughness coaching strategies. This training was implemented with eleven mental health staff from three mental health rehabilitation units across the North West of England.
Quantitative measures (MTQ48 and MBI-HSS) were used before and after the training and at a three month follow up. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were carried out after the training and three months after.
Results
The literature review supported the use of mental toughness coaching strategies. Themes from the NGT discussion included, culture/organisation, staff wellbeing and education.
Staff perceived the training as having an impact on themselves including their confidence and on life outside of work. They also perceived the training as having applications with service-users. The group average score for overall mental toughness score and personal accomplishment was higher after the training, whereas emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation scores were lower.
Originality/Value
No other published studies have explored the idea of teaching mental toughness coaching strategies as a way of focussing on the mental toughness and burnout in mental health staff. This is important as it may reveal new ways of focussing on the wellbeing of mental health staff.