About the Project

The aim of this project was to create tools and strategies that small businesses can use to improve mental health support in their workplaces. It gathered small business leaders’ experiences to inform practical, actionable tools that can be applied in their workplaces. By conducting a comprehensive review of existing research, followed by interviews with small business leaders, the project explored gaps in understanding the challenges of implementing mental health interventions in small business settings. Literature reviews and interviews were analyzed using the RE-AIM framework, which evaluates an intervention's reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and sustainability. This process worked closely with employers to ensure their perspectives were effectively captured and addressed.

Methodology

This project was carried out in two complimentary phases:

1. Phase One – Comprehensive review of 4,545 studies reporting workplace mental health interventions in small businesses to identify relevant interventions, characterize the strategies used, and report on how researchers communicated factors that influence implementation using the RE-AIM framework. This review examined how interventions were designed, implemented, and evaluated in existing literature.

2. Phase Two – Thematic analysis of semi-structures interviews with 9 small business leaders from Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, who had experience implementing employee mental health initiatives in small workplaces. Interviews were one hour long and themes identified were guided by the RE-AIM framework to highlight relevant patterns in participants’ reflections on the extent to which the review findings resonated with their personal experiences. These interviews provided insights into key strategies, barriers, and facilitators for implementing mental health programs in real-world settings.

Findings

Key findings from Phase 1 – Literature Review

• From a pool of 4000+ studies, only 10 were relevant under the RE-AIM framework as they directly addressed workplace mental health programs and their implementation in small businesses.

• The findings highlight a common issue: there is a lack of clear evidence to help small businesses create effective mental health programs. Only 20% of the selected studies focused directly on employees' mental health or measured their psychological well-being.

• Under the RE-AIM framework, most studies focused on the reach and effectiveness of their programs. However, only 11% addressed sustainability, and just 22% used qualitative methods to evaluate reach, participation, or maintenance. Notably, there was limited information on adopting, implementing, and sustaining mental health programs in small businesses.

• Overall findings from Phase 1 suggest the need for more comprehensive reporting in future research.

Key findings from Phase 2 – Interviews with small business leaders                                                                              

• 3 major themes highlighted through interviews:

1. Small businesses rely on low-cost, flexible initiatives like wellness spaces and flexible schedules.

2. Most leaders use informal feedback instead of systematic evaluation, facing challenges in sustaining programs.

3. Leaders feel unprepared to implement mental health programs due to limited training and guidance.

The overall findings from phase 2 suggest that sharing knowledge and creating customized, evidence-based health programs for small businesses could help improve the well-being of many Canadian workers.

Project Outreach

The findings in this project are expected to assist small business leaders and expand beyond Canada.  The toolkit created will be shared publicly through Ahria Consulting’s online platform which will give small businesses from across the world the opportunity to utilize these tools for their businesses.

By presenting the research at an international conference, this project expanded its reach beyond Ontario, connecting with researchers and health promotion practitioners from various regions across Canada and the United States.

Resources Created

• Designed and implemented a 10-week multi-dimensional Wellness program plan for a small/local health provider in Niagara Falls.

• Evidence-based toolkit created for small business leaders to utilize.

• Submitted for publication to the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology.

• 3 conference presentations:

  • At an international conference (TBA).

  • At the 34th annual Art & Science of Health Promotion Conference.

  • At the 28th edition of the Eastern Canada Sport and Exercise Symposium (ECSEPS) at the University of Toronto.