Occupational health psychologists are underutilized amidst the tsunami of mental health issues
The increase in psychological problems and burnout at work is constantly being discussed. Mental health disorders are one of the major causes of decreased work efficiency, absenteeism, and transition to disability pensions. One might ask why this situation persists, despite the fact that our country has a unique and highly regarded occupational health care system, with a large number of experts in the connection between work and mental health – us occupational health psychologists.
The primary statutory task of occupational health care is to collaborate with workplaces to prevent harmful mental strain caused by work and to support work communities. This is a noble goal, and by working together with workplaces, it would surely be possible to prevent the continuous increase in work-related mental health issues. Unfortunately, this is often not the case in practice.
The focus in solving work-related mental health issues has not been, and still is not, on prevention but rather on treating the consequences. There are two root causes for this: the reimbursement policy of occupational health care and the legal status of occupational health psychologists. “
Current reimbursement policies counteract good occupational health care practices and create inequality
Employers have the opportunity to receive reimbursement for occupational health care costs. The reimbursement policy is ultimately determined by Kela in its benefit guidelines, and it strongly influences practical work. According to the current reimbursement policy, an occupational health psychologist can assess and investigate working conditions and their problems but cannot assist and support workplace management and supervisors in implementing improvement suggestions from the assessment – because this is currently interpreted as personnel development rather than occupational health care.
This interpretation complicates and prevents effective mental health promotion at the workplace and has shifted the focus too much on reception work, where consequences are mainly addressed. It is clear that the current guidelines do not align with the spirit of the occupational health care law nor good occupational health care practices.
Modern working life is complex, and supervisors need help and support to improve the psychosocial work environment. If expert assistance is not available, the gloves easily drop under everyday pressures, and mental health issues continue to grow as the structures causing problems are not addressed. Fortunately, there are also enlightened employers who use occupational health psychologists to improve working conditions, even if they do not receive reimbursements for it. However, not all employers have the financial means for this, which creates inequality in working life.
Regulation as a brake on utilizing the most effective care
There is strong evidence that the psychosocial work environment significantly affects a person's mental health and overall health. For example, poor management can collapse morale. The smoothness of work significantly affects employee strain. Constant rush and pressure at work take away the joy from other aspects of life. Injustice raises blood pressure. Workplace bullying can cause severe trauma.
Unlike other occupational health care professionals, occupational health psychologists cannot, due to their legal status, agree with the workplace on collaboration to promote mental health. Instead, the services of an occupational health psychologist always require a needs assessment and a commission from occupational health physicians or nurses.
This bureaucracy slows down and complicates the arrangement of necessary assistance at workplaces, increases unnecessary costs, and may even exclude the workplace entirely from the support of an occupational health psychologist. I ask, do we as a society really afford this? “
From treating consequences to eliminating causes
The reimbursement policy and the operational mandate of occupational health psychologists in occupational health care are completely outdated regarding the promotion of employees' mental health and do not meet the needs of today's workplaces and work communities. Strengthening the mandate of occupational health psychologists and including their collaboration with supervisors in the reimbursement scheme would be extremely cost-effective means to address the tsunami of mental health issues in working life.
The solution to the problem does not require more money, but rather its allocation in a sensible and effective manner – from treating consequences to eliminating causes. Would this finally be the right time, now that the government program aims to significantly improve employee mental well-being and reduce burnout?
Antti is Terveystalo's leading occupational health psychologist and psychotherapist.
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