BALM
Frontline NHS staff are at increased risk of mental health difficulties due to exposure to many different workplace stressors. Male frontline workers, in particular, are often reluctant to acknowledge or seek help for mental health concerns, even though they are more likely to suffer from such issues.
Recent evidence of increased anxiety, depression, distress and burn-out among frontline health workers demonstrates that the healthcare system is unable to effectively “help the helpers”. Behavioural activation (BA) is an effective treatment that can be used as an early intervention to help prevent common mental illnesses.
BALM is the first study to tailor a proven BA approach for men working in the frontline of healthcare. The overarching aim of the BALM programme is to develop, deliver and evaluate a gender-sensitised BA programme as an early intervention for low mood and anxiety in male frontline NHS workers.
BALM was generously funded by Movember. Movember is a leading charity that aims to change the face of men’s health. With the support of millions of 'Mo Bros' and 'Mo Sistas' from all over the world, Movember is working towards its vision: to have an everlasting impact on the face of men’s health.