Maggie De Block, minister of social affairs and public health, is taking up the fight against burnout. To this end, her cabinet has awarded grants to several promising projects. Arteveldehogeschool is also receiving support, to investigate how intervention theatre can help against work-related mental disorders.
Project objective
In this pilot project, we investigate how a well-known interactive theatre method (legislative forum theatre) can be transformed into an innovative methodology that can be used in an organisation around work-related mental disorders. The methodology is aimed at reducing these disorders and their risks, as well as improving the organisational culture.
The outcome of this project is a clear and accessible manual of the methodology so that it can be widely used in various companies and organisations. In order to develop the methodology, we are working closely with companies where this theatre form will be concretely applied and tested during the pilot project.
Background
Arteveldehogeschool deployed its research knowledge and expertise on burnout, coupled with years of expertise with the methodology of forum theatre. During its study days on reintegration after burnout, a workshop with forum theatre was organised with all attendees. The elaboration of this format was impressive to all participants. The researchers' insights were tested and practised against the reenacted reality of the workplace and home situations with burnout. Seeing the power of this approach, the idea arose to link the mobilising character of this methodology to prevention policies in organisations.
Project context
This project was approved under the call for pilot projects "Integrated prevention policy for work-related mental disorders", emanating from the Federal Public Service Social Security. At the request of Minister of Social Affairs and Public Health, Maggie De Block, an integrated prevention policy for work-related mental disorders was developed, in consultation with all relevant stakeholders. To realise this policy, actions and projects are needed at the different prevention and intervention levels, including this pilot project.
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