”Mental health support is needed in workplaces”

“I started my first job at the age of 14, and considering my 23 years of age, I have already gained quite a lot of work experience in the service sector. I have worked mainly in café and fast-food chains alongside my studies, most recently as a shift manager at the lunch café Oksa.

In my work and among my close circle, I have seen how the burden and challenges of coping have increased for young people – both in working life and outside of it. This is also reflected in statistics: mental health disorders are the most common cause of disability among those under 35, and they have also become the single largest reason for disability pensions and long-term sick leaves. The risk is particularly high for young adults and service sector employees.

Mental health challenges have been a prominent issue for many years, but not nearly enough is being done about it.

Mental health challenges do not disappear when going to work; they are also visible in workplaces, for example, as increased sick leaves. Prolonged sick leaves can lead to social exclusion and, consequently, become costly for both the individual and society.

Mental health challenges have been a prominent issue for many years, but not nearly enough is being done to change the situation. Regular exercise and early support models, such as preventive mental health services, are proven to be the most effective ways to promote employee well-being.

This autumn, young occupational safety representatives are collecting signatures at service sector workplaces for a petition demanding exercise benefits and low-threshold mental health services as part of occupational health care. Things only change if they are actually changed.”

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