The Mental Health Promotion and Intervention in Occupational Settings (MENTUPP) Consortium supports European Depression Day 2021 on October 3rd, 2021, with a focus on creating healthy workplaces in Europe and beyond. The work of MENTUPP is timely considering the negative impacts of COVID-19 on mental health. 

Key Facts

  • Depression and anxiety are the most prevalent mental health difficulties in workplace settings in the EU. 
  • The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased – in some countries even doubled – the prevalence of anxiety and depression in the EU.
  • The MENTUPP Hub helps create healthy work environments in European and Australian SMEs in the construction, health and ICT sectors.  

Depression and COVID-19

According to the World Health Organisation, depression affects around 40 million people and is a primary cause of suicide deaths. One in five workers in Europe and Australia reports poor mental wellbeing, stress and depression. Depression and anxiety are the most prevalent mental health difficulties in workplace settings in the EU. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased workplace stress and the prevalence of anxiety and depression in Europe, which even doubled in some countries. Job uncertainty, financial instability, prolonged remote work and social isolation might have long-lasting implications for workers’ wellbeing, satisfaction, and productivity, impacting work engagement and control. The highest rates of mental distress were reported while COVID19 deaths escalated and stringent isolation measures were put in place. 

Mental Health in SMEs

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) comprise more than 90% of EU and Australian businesses. Due to insufficient resources to implement mental health promotion resources, lack of expertise and knowledge, and limited budget for occupational health and mental health programs, SMEs may be at heightened risk to mental health problems. “Most SMEs have limited capacity to address mental health promotion initiatives, and to provide mental health interventions to their staff. Therefore, businesses need solutions that offer additional support, but do not increase costs to SMEs that have been impacted by COVID-19”, says Prof. Ella Arensman, Coordinator of the EU-funded “MENTUPP: Mental Health Promotion and Intervention in Occupational Settings” project. 

The MENTUPP HUB for SMEs

The MENTUPP consortium aims to improve mental health in the workplace by developing, implementing and evaluating an evidence-based, online intervention program for employers, managers and employees of SMEs in the construction, health and ICT sectors. This online program, the MENTUPP HUB, will contribute to:

  • Reduction of stigma related to mental illness in the workplace; 
  • Timely identification and diagnosis of employees, managers, staff with a severe mental disorder;
  • Improved work satisfaction and healthier work environment;
  • Reduction of absenteeism and improved productivity in the workplace.

The MENTUPP HUB is currently being piloted in nine countries in Europe and Australia. 

For resources and treatment of depression, please visit: ifightdepression.com and Mates in Construction at mates.org.au.

MENTUPP (Mental Health Promotion and Intervention in Occupational Settings) is an EU-funded international research project with the primary aim to improve mental health in the workplace by developing, implementing and evaluating a multilevel intervention targeting mental health difficulties in SMEs in the construction, health and ICT sectors. The secondary aim is to reduce depression and suicidal behaviour at the workplace. MENTUPP consists of 17 global partners with expertise in mental health, suicide prevention, depression, mental illness stigma, implementation science, as well as health economics.

Learn more about MENTUPP: https://www.mentuppproject.eu/

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