WHO/Europe, through its pan-European Mental Health Coalition and in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health of Finland, will host a 1.5-day technical expert meeting in Helsinki on 28–29 August 2024.
The meeting will bring together health and care professionals and experts from Finland and across the WHO European Region, harnessing their expertise to further the development and implementation of policy initiatives to support the mental health of the health and care workforce.
Addressing the mental health crisis in the health workforce: from policy to practice
WHO/Europe is supporting countries in their efforts to protect mental through the pan-European Mental Health Coalition. Active since 2021, this network for knowledge exchange in the Region has made supporting mental health in the workplace one of its key priorities.
In response to the health workforce crisis in the Region, highlighted in the report “Health and care workforce in Europe: time act”, in October 2023 European Member States unanimously adopted the new Framework for Action on the Health and Care Workforce in the WHO European Region 2023–2030.
The Framework builds on the Bucharest Declaration adopted in March 2023. It calls for urgent action to address the health workforce crisis across 5 pillars of action. Implementing comprehensive policies to retain health workers and attract young health professionals by improving working conditions and supporting mental health and well-being are the core of the Framework. This is an urgent priority to reverse crippling health workforce shortages across the Region.
In October 2024 WHO/Europe will launch a survey of 29 countries to assess the mental health of the health and care workforce. This survey is part of WHO’s joint project with the European Commission, “Addressing mental health challenges in the 27 European Union countries, Iceland and Norway.”
Finland: a leader in policy and practice
Building on this critical policy momentum, the meeting in Helsinki will promote the exchange of knowledge related to the design and implementation of policies and initiatives and showcase best practices, particularly from Finland.
Finland has prioritized improvements to its health and social care system. In 2020 it launched a 10-year strategy to improve mental health in the country. A key element of the strategy is ensuring services that meet individuals’ needs, for which health and care workers’ well-being is essential.
Finland was one of the first countries to launch a national programme to ensure the sufficiency and availability of health and care workers, incorporating both short- and long-term measures. The well-being of health and care workers is also an important element of Finland's Good Work Programme, led by experts from ministries and different branches of government.
Discussions at the meeting will catalyse efforts to support Member States to implement the priorities of the pan-European Mental Health Coalition and those outlined in the Framework for Action to improve the mental health of the health and care workforce.