Learnings from the MENTUPP Project: The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Mental Health of SME Employees

ABSTRACT

Introduction: MENTUPP is a multi-level intervention aimed at promoting mental wellbeing in the workplace, addressing clinical and non-clinical mental health issues and reducing stigma in SMEs. Within the context of MENTUPP, a study has been conducted to explore the impacts of COVID-19 on the mental health of SME employees. Materials and Methods: A researcher-designed, semi-structured, online survey was completed anonymously by key stakeholders across nine countries in Europe and Australia. Key stakeholders (N=65) included representatives from academia, SMEs, occupational health associations, labour and advocacy groups, and representatives from the construction, health and information technology sectors. They were from countries with established mental health provisions (Central and Western Europe) and countries with lower resources (Central and Eastern Europe). Results: An overview of the MENTUPP project will be provided, followed by outcomes of the online survey. Stakeholders across different countries and sectors agreed that COVID-19 pandemic has increased clinical and non-clinical mental health issues in SMEs. Experts in Central and Western Europe reported that the capacity of workplaces to promote wellbeing decreased due to COVID-19, and experts from Eastern and Central Europe thought that this did not change much. Mental health stigma has reportedly remained the same, however, mental health awareness may have increased. Conclusions: This study observed that the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted employee mental health indicating the timeliness to introduce a targeted intervention, such as MENTUPP.