Organizational climate matters for managers’ competency in workplace mental health issues

Abstract Background Managers play a key role in relation to employees with common mental health problems (CMHP). However, managers frequently experience discomfort in addressing these issues, and their possibilities to fulfill their role are largely shaped by their organizational context. Within this context, it is argued that the organizational mental health climate contributes to how CMHP is handled in workplaces. In this study we investigate the association between organizational mental health climate and i) managers’ knowledge about CMHP and ii) managers’ confidence in supporting employees with CMHP. Methods Cross-sectional design, utilizing data from the project Managers in action conducted in Sweden in 2021 among managers in the private sector (n = 3425). Organizational climate regarding mental health was measured by 4 questions related to the senior management, the work environment management, the management team and policies. They were summed as a score ranging 4 to 20, with higher score representing better mental health climate. The score was divided into 4 quartiles. The two dependent variables were measured by single questions. Multivariable ordinal logistic regression analyses with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were performed to assess the association between each quartile of organizational climate and the dependent variables. Results For each quartile of better mental health climate, the managers perceived higher competency. At the fourth quartile, the odds ratio for having enough knowledge about CMHP was OR 4.1 (CI 3.2-5.2) and the odds ratio for feeling confident in supporting employees with CMHP was OR 8.0 (CI 6.2-10.3). Conclusions Managers working in companies with a better organizational mental health climate are more likely to also perceive higher competency in relation to these matters. For better managerial support to employees with CMHP, employers should invest in their organizational mental health climate. Key messages • Managers working in companies with a better mental health climate perceive higher competency in such issues. • To support their managers, employers should invest in a good mental health climate.