Across the Baltic Sea Region, mental health challenges are quietly but steadily eroding the well-being of people and the resilience of our economies. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, nearly half of all lost working days were linked to work-related stress. The implications reach far beyond individual well-being, yet in workplaces the challenge is too often the “elephant in the room.” The NDPHS as a PA Health Coordinator of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region parallel session When Yoga Session Is Not Enough. How To Sustainably Promote Mental Well-being At Work? aims to raise awareness about the importance of mental health at work, with a special focus on the unique challenges faced by small and medium sized businesses (SMEs). Click here to register.

© Arbeidstilsynet (Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority), click subtitles for English

SMEs are the backbone of the regional economy — but they often lack the resources or structures to effectively address psychosocial risks. In close-knit workplaces, phrases like “We’re like a family here” may suggest solidarity, but can also mask unhealthy work-life boundaries, constant availability, and unaddressed emotional challenges. This 90-minute interactive session will explore how to foster mentally healthy, resilient, and sustainable work environments. It will spotlight innovative approaches for promoting mental well-being at work and preventing psychosocial risks, with a focus on cross-sectoral and transnational collaboration.

Participants will gain insights from experts, engage in open discussion, and explore practical solutions — including a demonstration of the First Aid Kit, a new online tool designed to support managers and colleagues in identifying and responding to mental health challenges in the workplace. The First Aid Kit is just one of the support resources designed during the Interreg BSR funded MentalHealthMatters project aimed to propose measures to address psychosocial risks in workplaces. A recently published MENTAL HEALTH AT WORK: Overview of definitions, regulations & further guidance document provides an overview of the national work on psychosocial work environments in Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, and Sweden. While the MENTAL HEALTH AT WORK: Discussion Document on Policy Options presents country-specific recommendations that address national challenges that impact the mental health.

Workplace mental health should not be a hidden issue — it’s a growing challenge with real economic and human consequences. On October 30 together with the field experts, the PA Health session will blend evidence-based insight with practical guidance and highlight the value of collaboration across the Baltic Sea Region and an entire European Union to foster healthy workplaces.

Meet the speakers and read more.