STOCKHOLM – Four researchers from Karolinska Institutet have been awarded significant funding to investigate how to reduce sick leave due to mental illness among workers and white-collar employees in the private sector. This is part of the new R&D programme “The Road to Mental Health in Working Life: Preventive, Rehabilitative, and Strengthening Efforts”, funded by Afa Insurance and Alecta.
Mental illness remains the leading cause of sick leave in Sweden, especially prevalent among white-collar workers in the private sector, and the second most common cause for blue-collar workers. This alarming trend highlights the need for targeted research and interventions.
The R&D programme, with a budget of SEK 30 million, aims to enhance mental health and reduce sick leave through various preventive and rehabilitative measures. The programme is set to run from September 2024 to December 2027.
Funded Projects at Karolinska Institutet
Part-time Sick Leave as a Preventive Measure
Researcher: Jurgita Narusyte, Department of Clinical Neuroscience
Funding: SEK 3,699,282
Objective: This project aims to determine whether part-time sick leave can prevent long-term sick leave among private sector employees with mental illness, thereby helping them maintain their employment and improving sick leave practices in Sweden.
Preventing Sexual Harassment in the Hotel Sector
Researcher: Gun Johansson, Institute of Environmental Medicine
Funding: SEK 3,338,076
Objective: This study will develop and test interventions against sexual harassment in collaboration with hotel management and staff. Given the high incidence of sexual harassment in the hotel industry, the project aims to mitigate its impact on mental health and evaluate the effectiveness of proposed measures.
Fatigue as a Transdiagnostic Symptom Dimension
Researcher: Elin Lindsäter, Department of Clinical Neuroscience
Funding: SEK 2,210,206
Objective: This research seeks to enhance understanding of fatigue as a common symptom across various mental health conditions and to assess the efficacy of transdiagnostic cognitive-behavioral therapy (t-CBT) in reducing fatigue and preventing long-term sick leave.
Transdiagnostic Internet-mediated CBT for Primary Care Patients
Researcher: Erik Hedman-Lagerlöf, Department of Clinical Neuroscience
Funding: SEK 4,979,308
Objective: This project will develop and validate an accessible, internet-based transdiagnostic CBT for primary care patients with common mental health issues. The study aims to demonstrate the treatment’s effectiveness in reducing symptoms and sick leave, and to facilitate its widespread adoption in primary care settings.
Programme Goals and Expectations
The overall aim of the programme is to provide better conditions for a sustainable working life by improving mental health and reducing sick leave. The measures and initiatives developed through this programme are expected to create valuable insights and practical solutions for both employees and employers in the private sector.
As the projects commence, the findings are anticipated to fill existing knowledge gaps and offer innovative strategies to address mental health challenges in the workplace. This comprehensive approach underscores the commitment to enhancing mental health support and fostering a healthier, more resilient workforce.
The research projects led by Karolinska Institutet researchers stand at the forefront of this initiative, promising to contribute significantly to the well-being of workers and the overall productivity of the private sector in Sweden.
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