Mental Health Matters – Making Enterprises in the BSR more Resilient by Tackling Psychosocial Risks in the Workplace
Aim
Description
Mental health of employees is an emerging concern for societies and employers in the Baltic Sea Region. Even before the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, half of EU workers considered stress to be common in their workplace, and stress contributed to around half of all lost working days. Combined with an already prevailing lack of qualified work force, this puts the ability of enterprises (including public organisations) to withstand existing and future crises in jeopardy. In short: to be economically resilient, companies and societies need a mentally resilient work force.
Protecting workers and preserving their work ability is the objective of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH). In the past, however, OSH legislation, standards and education have mainly focused on physical hazards and accident prevention and not paid enough attention to psychosocial risk assessment, health promotion and prevention measures. The Mental Health Matters project wants to change this and will bring together policy makers, employer and employee representatives, practitioners, researchers and educators in the field of OSH. They will assess the adequacy of policies and practices and propose measures to better prepare OSH systems and OSH professionals to deal with current and emerging psychosocial risks. Moreover, the project will develop a “first-aid kit” to support owners and managers of SMEs that do not have access to OSH professionals in assessing psychosocial risks and taking preventive action.
Activities of the project
- Identifying gaps and needs in OSH data and policy
- Exchanging on good practices and education
- Discussing needed actions and preparing recommendations on the topics of thematic focus
- Discussing avenues for implementation
- Developing the generic English version of the first-aid-kit
- Adjusting the first-aid-kit to national contexts & dissemination
- Development of the roadmap
- Roadmap promotion and dissemination
Project partners
- NDPHS Secretariat (Sweden) as a lead partner,
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FI),
- Tallinn University of Technology (EE),
- Rīga Stradiņš University (LV),
- Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine (PL),
- Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority (NO).
Project related news
- 1st transnational workshop
The Project "MentalHealthMatters" started with 1st transnational workshop in TalTech University in Tallin on 25th September, 2023. Experts from Estonia, Latvia, Finland, Poland, Sweden and Norway participated in it.
The purpose of the project is to prepare Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) systems and professionals as well as small and medium sized enterprises to address the workforce’s current and emerging psychosocial risks at work. OSH standards are mainly focusing on physical hazards and accident prevention, and the MentalHealthMatters project will put attention to mental well-being at work which is as crucial as physical health.
During the project a “first-aid kit” will be developed to support owners and managers of SMEs that do not have access to OSH professionals in assessing psychosocial risks and taking preventive action.
Each partner presented the early results and findings from their national CoPs regarding the theme “gaps in data and policy”.
During two parallel sessions, one group focused on exploring the methodology and approach to the development of the first-aid kit. The second group of the parallel sessions discovered and defined gaps and challenges related to psychosocial risks at work from the perspective of three different themes: changes in the world of work, education of OSH professionals, and work environment and culture. The purpose was to explore the gaps and challenges related to these themes, to group them, and to define overarching topics for these themes.
Information posted on 26.09.2023
- 2nd transnational workshop online
2nd transnational workshop of the project "MentalHealthMatters" was held online on December 8th, 2023 where participated experts from Estonia, Latvia, Finland, Poland, Sweden and Norway.
The RSU team presented the insights of the Latvian piloting of the methodology, the first results and the lessons learned. The main points for discussions included the most frequently mentioned problems that arose from the Latvian piloting resonate in the other countries, indicating that the problems are transnational in character and discussions how should be developed the first-aid kit.
The partners were asked to briefly present the latest updates from their NCoPs and to provide reflections on the issues arising from the national level work that could benefit from being addressed transnationally.
The current results point towards a lack of knowledge on psychosocial risk factors in Latvia (there are no standardized scales or assessment tools) and an insufficient emphasis on preventive measures and early intervention strategies in policies.
Information posted on 09.12.2023
- 3rd Transnational meeting in Helsinki
The 3rd transnational meeting of Project “MentalHealthMatters” was held in Helsinki on 19th March, 2024. Experts from Estonia, Latvia, Finland, Poland, Sweden and Norway participated in it.
At the meeting were discussed the possibilities for occupational health and safety education in each project participating country, focusing more on training on psychosocial risk factors in the workplace. A common conclusion was reached that providing high-quality, practice-oriented education and continuous training for occupational safety specialists, labor inspectors, and employers is crucial in developing the necessary skills to manage psychosocial factors effectively.
The second half of the workshop was dedicated to advancing the development of the two project outputs, namely:
- The online First-Aid Kit to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in addressing psychosocial risks and taking preventive action
- The Roadmap detailing needed improvements and practical proposals for reform in OSH policy, regulations, education and practice both at the national and international levels.
The session on the First-Aid Kit focused on developing content and interface for the English version of the tool. The participants discussed the most frequently encountered challenges and psychosocial risks that they have nationally identified together with SME representatives, agreeing on the structure and main topics to be covered by the First-Aid Kit.
At the same time, the session dedicated to the Roadmap development discussed how to implement change in workplaces. To do this, an ecosystem for the governance of psychosocial factors was mapped, identifying the current main obstacles in the system and the areas where urgent reform is needed in the participating countries.
For the change to happen, the MentalHealthMatters project partners stressed the need for social innovation, evaluation of the existing policies and promising practices, and close social dialogue both at the political and workplace levels.
The day was concluded with optimism that change is possible coupled with a dash of realism that there are no quick solutions to systematically improve the mental health status of the workforce. In the words of one of the participants.
Information posted on 20.03.2024
- 4th Transnational Workshop Strengthens Focus on Workplace Mental Health
On May 24, 2024, the MentalHealthMatters project held its 4th Transnational Workshop online, bringing together experts and partners from Estonia, Latvia, Finland, Poland, Sweden, and Norway. The workshop was another significant step in the project's mission to improve mental health in workplaces, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Driving Change Through Collaboration
The workshop focused on identifying key improvements in three critical areas:
- Data and Knowledge – Addressing gaps in understanding and assessing psychosocial risks.
- Policies and Regulations – Highlighting needed reforms to support mental health initiatives.
- Education and Training – Building stakeholders' capacity to effectively manage psychosocial risks.
Using the ecosystem framework developed in the 3rd Transnational Workshop in Helsinki, participants analyzed which elements and target groups must be activated to drive meaningful change. This collaborative approach ensures solutions are rooted in real-world needs and practical applications.
Advancing the First Aid Kit
The workshop also featured progress on the First Aid Kit, a tool being developed to support SMEs in addressing psychosocial risks. Partners reflected on the challenges encountered during content preparation, such as selecting diverse resources and ensuring clarity in descriptions. Discussions emphasized the need for a service designer’s opinion to create a user-friendly format, providing the tool’s accessibility and effectiveness.
Looking Ahead
Preparations for the next transnational meeting in Stockholm are underway, with partners focused on maintaining momentum and driving impactful changes in occupational safety and health.
The 4th Transnational Workshop showcased the strength of international collaboration in tackling workplace mental health challenges, reaffirming the commitment to supporting SMEs and fostering healthier, more resilient work environments.
Information posted on 30.09.2024.
- 5th Transnational Workshop Highlights Good Practices in Tackling Psychosocial Risks
On September 25, 2024, the 5th Transnational Workshop of the "MentalHealthMatters" project convened in Stockholm, with participation from project partners representing Estonia, Latvia, Finland, Poland, Sweden, and Norway. This workshop served as a platform for sharing impactful practices and advancing the project’s core initiatives aimed at improving workplace mental health.
The centrepiece of the workshop was a series of presentations where each partner highlighted a good practice from their country addressing psychosocial risks in workplaces. Poland showcased the widespread adoption of the ISO45003 standard and the strategic management model #dobrzewpracy, developed by Makowskapracuje. Latvia presented its National Preventive Action Plan on Occupational Safety and Health, while Norway detailed its Working Environment Initiative. Finland introduced its Work Ability Support Model for workplaces, and Estonia highlighted two innovative efforts: the Peaasi.ee platform and the Golden Label initiative.
During the following discussions, participants reflected on the contextual factors that contribute to the success of such practices, including political decisions, societal trends, and research advancements, which often create environments conducive to innovation. Promotion and communication were also emphasized, as these activities amplify the visibility and recognition of promising practices, helping them achieve broader societal impact. Participants acknowledged the challenges in measuring the effectiveness of workplace mental health initiatives. Sustained efforts were deemed critical, as meaningful impacts in workforce mental health take time to materialize. However, the short-term nature of many innovation-driven activities remains a significant hurdle to realizing their full potential.
The workshop also advanced the development of the First Aid Kit, a practical tool designed to assist small and medium-sized enterprises in addressing psychosocial risks. Progress was made on the web design, layout, and content structure, and partners agreed on the need for a detailed communication plan and an engaging introduction video. A dedicated working group will spearhead these efforts, with pilot testing of the web platform planned before its official launch.
Looking ahead, preliminary discussions about the project’s closing event began, with Riga emerging as a potential venue. As the project moves toward its conclusion, the 5th Transnational Workshop reaffirmed the collective commitment to fostering healthier and more resilient workplaces through collaboration, innovation, and sustained action.
Information posted on 30.10.2024.
- 6th Transnational Workshop was held Online
On November 29, 2024, the 6th Transnational Workshop of the "MentalHealthMatters" project was held online, bringing together project partners from Estonia, Latvia, Finland, Poland, Sweden, and Norway. The workshop focused on advancing ongoing tasks and refining key project outputs as the initiative approaches its final stages.
The NDPHS Secretariat outlined the upcoming objectives for the National Communities of Practice, emphasizing the need to develop 3-7 well-considered actions by the Trondheim meeting. These actions are to be grounded in realism, urgency, and potential impact, with the goal of laying the foundation for sustainable improvements in workplace mental health.
A significant portion of the workshop was dedicated to the progress of the First-Aid Kit. Riga Stradins University reported that the compilation of database materials is complete, and the final encoding stages are underway. Key updates included the preparation of a 2-3-minute promotional video and scheduling of usability testing. With no further changes planned, partners can now begin translating materials for national versions, with a recommendation to include supplementary resources tailored to local needs, such as national legislation.
Additionally, the NDPHS Secretariat presented the first draft of the introductory transnational chapter, which will serve as a foundational element of the project's broader impact narrative.
Planning for the final conference continues, marking the project’s progression toward its culmination. The workshop underscored the partners' shared commitment to delivering actionable, scalable solutions for improving workplace mental health.
Information posted on 01.12.2024.
