The ‘Conference on Mental Health and Work’ takes place in Brussels on 30 and 31 January. With this high-level exchange, Belgium wants to weigh in on the next Commission’s agenda and is pushing for specific European regulations on the prevention of psychosocial risks at work.
The successive crises we have experienced in recent years are weighing so heavily on the mental resilience of European workers that signs of a new mental health crisis are emerging.
- Almost half of European workers experience stress at work, accounting for about half the number of sick days.
- 44% say stress at work has increased as a result of the corona crisis.
- Recent research has shown that a significant proportion of depression and cardiovascular disease can be attributed to exposure to psychosocial risk factors at work.
In that context, Belgium, as president of the Council of the European Union, wants to take the lead in achieving specific European regulations to counter mental health risks, following the example of existing comprehensive legislation around physical well-being and occupational health.
In July 2022, the European Parliament called for a global strategy for the EU. This needs to be taken forward by the next European Commission, according to Belgium.
Minister of Economy and Work Pierre-Yves Dermagne and Minister of Health and Social Affairs Frank Vandenbroucke, in collaboration with Minister for the Self-employed David Clarinval and Minister of Public Administration Petra De Sutter, are organising this 2-day conference in Brussels, bringing together mental health and work experts, policymakers and the social partners.
Focus on prevention
The first day of the conference will focus on prevention of psychosocial risks, stress and burnout at work. Recent European research will be discussed to situate the issues and the European social partners will debate them, as will the policymakers present.
“Across Europe, more and more workers are experiencing psychological problems. To better protect them, more attention to mental health at work is urgently needed. Binding rules on prevention are also important to create a level playing field for companies everywhere in the EU,” said Minister Pierre-Yves Dermagne.
“That the topic is gaining importance at the European level is reflected by the participation of no less than three EU Commissioners in the conference. Besides Commissioner Nicolas Schmit, who pledged his support for the organisation of the conference at the outset, Vice-President Margaritis Schinas and Commissioner Stella Kyriakides are also present to contribute to the debate on the need for new European policies,” Dermagne concludes.
Start-Stay-Return to work
The second day is dedicated to reintegration, including sessions on ‘start to work’ (an inclusive labour market for people with mental disorders), ‘stay at work’ (secondary prevention from an EU perspective) and ‘return to work’ (good practices return to work from an EU perspective).
“Anyone who is – or has been – ill for a long time has an incredibly difficult time returning to work. Working is so important to feel good, to feel useful too. It is more than just making money. This certainly applies to people’s mental health: for people who have dropped out because of mental health problems, looking out for new opportunities in society can be crucial to their recovery. Offering the right help, showing people the way and really actively guiding them towards work is therefore not only a matter of solidarity, but above all of health,” says minister Frank Vandenbroucke.
Belgium pioneer
Belgium is well placed to put the issue on the agenda at European level. With the federal plan for mental well-being at work, the federal government has developed a series of concrete measures.
Minister of Public Administration Petra De Sutter: “Belgium does not lose sight of the well-being of its workers. We have introduced rules that that take all aspects into account: from how ergonomic the workplace should be to psychosocial risks in the workplace. Our ambition is to translate that Belgian view of workers into a European directive. That way, the Belgian model can ensure the well-being of every European worker.’
De Sutter adds that the federal government takes responsibility for the well-being of its employees. “The work-life balance has to be right; we offer psychological support and counselling; managers are given courses to discuss well-being with their employees and so on.”
Minister for the Self-Employed David Clarinval: “ Burnout and depression are the second leading cause of work incapacity among the self-employed and are increasing due to crises with a major impact on entrepreneurs such as the war in Ukraine and the corona crisis. It is important to raise their awareness so that they can better protect their mental health while responding to the typical entrepreneurial demands. In Belgium, we have developed initiatives to promote the mental well-being of the self-employed, and I am delighted that during the conference we will look at how we can provide tailor-made support to the self-employed to avoid risks address a detrimental situation.”
Journalists can follow the proceedings of the conference at https://virtual-live-events.be/event/MentalHealthandWork.
More information
Laurens Teerlinck, spokesperson Pierre-Yves Dermagne
+32 484 68 12 59
laurens.teerlinck@dermagne.fed.be
Billy Buyse, spokesperson Frank Vandenbroucke
+32 496 47 44 87
billy.buyse@vandenbroucke.fed.be
Bram Sebrechts, spokesperson Petra De Sutter
+32 498 27 31 91
bram.sebrechts@bosa.fgov.be
Koen Peumans, spokesperson David Clarinval
+32 473 81 11 06
koen.peumans@clarinval.belgium.be