New Study Shows the Impact of Resilience Training on Mental Health

The new Global Resilience Report 2018 by the Resilience Institute has been released today outlining the impact of resilience training on mental health. One of the most notable findings from the research is that resilience interventions deliver a 30-percent reduction in symptoms associated with “mental distress”.

With mental health conditions now overtaking physical safety as a critical workplace risk factor, targeted and applicable actions are more important than ever when it comes to building a productive, happy and healthy workforce.

According to the World Health Organisation, cases of anxiety and depression increased by an eye-opening 50-percent between 1990 and 2013. Just this year, the American Psychiatric Association announced their research had shown another 5-percent increase in these conditions. This signals a need for employers to invest in evidence-based measures that will improve mental health and wellbeing for employees.

Mental distress covers areas like anxiety, depression, hostility, withdrawal and delusions. The Resilience Institute defines resilience as “a learned ability to recognize risk, bounce skilfully and secure robust, physical, emotional and mental well-being”. The key, according to the Resilience Institute, is understanding that mental distress often has roots in ancillary areas such as emotional and physical issues like fatigue, lack of sleep, fear and frustration.

The Global Resilience Report found that when resilience interventions take place, an average reduction of 30-percent in the symptoms associated with depression are observed, with the best case study results coming in at 82-percent. When compared to the 3-percent impact of antidepressants, it’s clear that resilience interventions can have real, beneficial effects.

Those who had undergone the interventions showed a 26-percent increase in optimism, a 21-percent increase in focus and a full 22-percent boost to feelings of fulfilment. The Resilience Institute research found that physical, emotional and mental wellbeing all showed a marked upwards jump post-resiliency intervention.

Dr Sven Hansen, Founder of the Resilience Institute said, “For every $1 invested (in mental health), there is a $4 return on investment. (WHO, 2016). Resilience training has 13 times the effect of medication such as anti-depressants. By developing skills across a range of disciplines, employees can construct personal blueprints for safety, wellbeing and success. This integral approach creates a powerful web of competencies that protect an organisation and its people from distress. The result is high-sustainable, successful organisations that are grounded in resilient, productive, mentally healthy people.”

To find out more, visit https://resiliencei.com/