Implementation of the ASCEND Training for Supervisors in Dutch Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)

Launched by VU UNIVERSITY OF AMSTERDAM · May 16, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a program called ASCEND, which aims to help workplace supervisors in Dutch small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) better support their employees' mental health. The ASCEND program teaches supervisors important skills, like recognizing when their team members need help, guiding them to the right support, and promoting mental health initiatives at work. The researchers want to see if this training can boost supervisors' confidence and knowledge about mental health, reduce stigma, and improve the overall mental well-being of employees, as well as reduce the number of sick days taken due to mental health issues.

To participate in the trial, supervisors must be at least 18 years old, work in a SME in the Netherlands with 10 to 250 employees, and supervise at least one other employee. Supervisors will be randomly placed in either a group that receives the ASCEND training right away or a group that will receive the training later. Both supervisors and their employees will answer online questionnaires to provide feedback about the program. The trial is currently recruiting participants, and the findings will help determine how effective the ASCEND program is and whether it can be expanded to more workplaces in the future.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion for SMEs:
• • Having 10 to 250 employees
• • Being located in the Netherlands
• • In case of insufficient recruitment among SMEs, a mitigation strategy is to recruit individual departments from larger organizations.
• Eligibility criteria for individual participants:
• Supervisors are included if they fit the following inclusion criteria:
• • 18 years or older
• • Working in an organization in the Netherlands
• • Sufficient mastery (written and spoken) of the language in which the ASCEND intervention is being delivered (i.e., Dutch or English)
• • Written informed consent before entering the study
• • Supervise at least 1 supervisee within the same organization
• Supervisees are included if they fit the following inclusion criteria:
• • 18 years or older
• • Have a direct supervisor who is participating in ASCEND (either intervention or control group)
• • Sufficient mastery of English or Dutch
• • Written informed consent before entering the study