Have you encountered a situation where a member of the work community has experienced stress that is evident in their daily work and endurance? Improving working conditions is not enough, as the stress is specifically affecting their personal life?

Often, the tendency is to compartmentalize issues into work-related and personal matters. Phrases like “Sorry for bringing this up, since it's not work-related” or “I hope they take care of themselves” are typical. This is true to some extent—at work, we focus on work and self-improvement as employees, and everyone is responsible for their own well-being. However, when an employer supports the overall well-being of their staff, they are also investing in their company. It is modern to invest in preventive services, such as supervision and short-term therapy.

Short-term therapy is professional, confidential, and discussion-focused support that does not require a diagnosis or a doctor's referral to access. This is a significant difference from the typically known Kela-supported psychotherapies. As the name suggests, this form of therapy aims for shorter-term engagement and effectiveness: the solution-focused approach behind short-term therapy is an excellent foundation for this kind of work. Even a few sessions of therapy can be sufficient help for the moment and the situation.

A well-being staff is one of the most significant keys to an organization's success. Early intervention in mental health challenges can reduce human suffering, but it also has far-reaching benefits for the entire organization's economy and the national economy. According to Kela, in 2022, mental health issues were the most common reason for receiving sickness allowance, and the number of sick days due to mental health reasons has been increasing significantly since 2014. Too often, we become aware of the situation too late, when sick leave surprises us due to diminished work capacity.

Mental health and well-being can be influenced

An increasingly complex and fast-paced working life can both inspire and, unfortunately, exhaust many of us. While many things are evolving, the human mind remains structurally similar to how it was tens or hundreds of years ago. It reacts to surrounding events and does not categorize stress into separate personal and work life compartments. Everything affects everything. It is perfectly normal to feel unwell sometimes or to recognize that something is overwhelming your mental capacity. Personal life factors, such as a healthy romantic relationship or friendship, are significant elements that support work life. Conversely, a troubled romantic relationship or friendship often negatively impacts work ability, manifesting as fatigue or symptoms of depression.

It is great if an organization provides the opportunity to recognize stressful situations in an individual's life and also offers early and preventive support. When a person receives professional help in a timely manner, the likelihood of the situation escalating decreases significantly.

Whether you are an individual or a representative of an organization and are interested in this topic, seize the moment. The threshold for seeking therapy should be kept low, as it is a smart service for ordinary people. The easiest way to access short-term therapy is through private channels, although many public sector providers have also started offering this form of mental health support. The trend is also moving towards including short-term therapy as part of occupational health services. Do you already have it? As a Norre client, it is possible. So go ahead, explore, and find out more about it!

Let's be pioneers together. Let's take good care of ourselves and each other and encourage seeking professional help in a timely manner. We have the opportunity to make a change starting today.