Mental health is a cornerstone of resilience in the Baltic Sea Region

Health and safety at work with a specific focus on mental health

Health and safety at work have developed considerably over recent decades, reflecting a growing awareness of the factors that influence well-being. The increasing focus on mental health at work is driven by shifting work environments, rapid technological advancements, and the impact of recent global crises.

Digitalisation, globalisation, and flexible labour markets have transformed job structures, leading to both increased productivity and new psychosocial risks. Employees often face high performance demands, a fast-paced work environment, and job insecurity, which can impact their mental health. These shifts call for a re-evaluation of management approaches and occupational health and safety practices to protect workers’ health.

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly intensified workplace stressors. Lockdowns, remote work, and economic uncertainty contributed to heightened anxiety, burnout, and depression. This was especially the case for health professionals, educators, and service workers, who faced extreme workloads and emotional strain. Distinguishing whether poor mental health stems from workplace factors or personal circumstances has always been difficult, but the pandemic made this even more complex.
The widespread shift to teleworking has reduced employers’ ability to observe and respond to signs of distress. The lack of visibility has hindered timely interventions and support. Even in countries with strong welfare systems, such as Finland and Sweden, the pandemic exposed gaps in workplace mental health support. While offering flexibility, hybrid work can also blur the work-life boundaries, leading to “always-on” ex-pectations and social isolation. Employers face new challenges in ensuring equitable support for both remote and on-site staff, including access to mental health resources, team cohesion, and ergonomic home setups.

Additionally, the technology is rapidly evolving, presenting both opportunities and risks. Artificial Intelligence, in particular, can reduce repetitive workloads and enhance safety; however, it also introduces concerns about job displacement, surveil-lance, and ethical dilemmas. Transparent implementation and employee participation in AI adoption are critical for preserving mental well-being.

Regional cooperation

The shifting nature of work demands a multifaceted and adaptive approach to protect mental well-being in diverse and rapidly changing environments. The Baltic Sea countries have been active in promoting workplace well-being through national and cross-border initiatives. One notable example is the MentalHealthMatters project, funded by Interreg Baltic Sea Region, with partners from Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, and Norway. The initiative fostered valuable transnational exchange to enhance mental health support in the workplace. A key outcome of the project is the First-Aid Kit for Mental Health — a practical resource designed to help workplace actors address mental health issues early and effectively.

These kinds of collaborative efforts support broader European policies, such as the European Union’s Strategic Framework on Health and Safety at Work 2021–2027, which encourages digital age resilience, psychosocial risk management, and the integration of mental health into occupational health strategies.

Policy Area Health Coordinator Comment

In the face of ongoing and overlapping crises, good mental and physical health is not just a public health issue — it is a matter of economic stability, social cohesion, and regional security. As mental health challenges rise, so does the risk of reduced societal capacity to respond to war, climate emergencies, and other disruptions.

Policy Area Health has made mental health a key priority, bringing together actors across countries, sectors, and governance for advancing psychological resilience through a range of cross-sectoral and transnational initiatives. The work takes shape through both policy dialogue and advocacy, as well as on-the-ground projects. These include the Mental Health First Aid Toolkit for small and nedium-sized enterprises, the Arts on Prescription concept, which connects people to cultural activities for well-being, the EPIC project on health crisis cooperation, and the Schoolchanger project, promoting student mental health through inclusive school design.

To further this work, Policy Area Health is the lead partner in the Baltic Sea Region Mental Health Platform, recognised as an Operation of Strategic Importance under the Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme. The platform brings together regional knowledge and experience to inform national and regional policy. The platform promotes the broader adoption of proven solutions, thereby strengthening mental health and psychological preparedness across the region.

Securing the Future – Views from the Policy Area Coordinators

This text is originally published in the “Securing the Future – Views from the Policy Area Coordinators” publication. The publication consists of thematically focused articles that are aligned with the Strategy objectives. The texts support informed discussion on topics relevant across the Baltic Sea Region.

Download the full publication here.

Karin Reinhold
Phd, Professor at Tallinn University of Technology, Management of Well-Being at Work
Ülla-Karin Nurm
Policy Area Coordinator, EUSBSR PA Health, Director NDPHS Secretariat

Related content

New funding opportunities at Swedish Institute

26 February 2026

Save the Date: BSSSC Day of Cities and Regions 2026 in Tallinn

28 January 2026

The progress of social prescribing integration into public health systems

Highlights form the conference "Acting on Health: The Role of Arts in Well-being" organized by the PA Health coordinator (NDPHS Secretariat).

15 December 2025