Doctoral Project Defense: Adriana Samano
Candidate: Adriana Samano
Major: Nursing
Advisor: Amy Culbertson, D.N.P.
Impact of Implementing Routine Depression Screening for Employees on the Utilization of Workplace Well-Being Resources
Depression affects an estimated 8% of the population in the U.S. and is a common cause of disability and absenteeism in the workplace. Recommendations to improve employees’ mental health include depression screening in the occupational setting and educating employees on workplace well-being resources. A quality improvement project using a pre/post design was offered to employees of a manufacturing plant. The primary aim of this project was to assess the impact of implementing a depression screening program and introducing workplace well-being resources on employees’ utilization of those resources. The secondary aim was to evaluate how utilizing workplace well-being resources impacted PHQ-9 scores and the outcomes based on demographic data. Participants completed a pre-survey assessing their knowledge of workplace well-being resources and a PHQ-9 depression screening. Additionally, they received a handout on workplace well-being resources. Thirty days later, employees completed a post-survey about using those resources and a second PHQ-9. A total of fourteen (N=14) participants completed the project. In the pre-survey, 50% indicated they knew of at least one resource, while 21% said they utilized resources post-survey. Being too busy was the most prevalent reason for not using the resources. There was no statistically significant change in PHQ-9 scores pre-and-post survey. Implementing depression screening in the occupational setting and ensuring employees are aware of workplace well-being resources could be helpful tools for workers to improve their mental health.