Mental disorders as a major challenge in prevention of work disability: experiences in Finland, Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden

There is evidence that mental health as a cause of sickness absenteeism and work disability may be increasing in Europe. Researchers from four European countries, all active in social insurance related research, therefore, initiated country reports that analyses available statistics on disorders behind sickness absenteeism, interpret and discuss epidemiological evidence on morbidity and describe what has been done to promote mental health and prevent mental ill-health.The core of this publication consist of country reports from Finland, Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden. In addition, it contains a short chapter on gender differences of sickness absenteeism and work disability at EU level. Also included is a short description of emerging international activities and illustrative country examples of the promotion of mental health and prevention of mental ill-health. Further, evidence of such activities is reviewed and examined what research is necessary from the social insurance point of view. The findings show that mental health issues are a increasing cause of sickness absenteeism and work disability pensions. As mental health disorders have a complex aetiologie, mental health promotion strategies must take various approaches; prevention of harmfull stress and anxiety at work should be addressed at workplaces; work stress prevention strategies are well-known, but less practised; maintenance, good practices of rehabilitation and reintegration into employment is neede