EU-OSHA launches its Healthy Workplaces Campaign 26-28: Together for mental health at work

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Hold on for press release until 13/10/2026 - 09:00 Europe/Madrid

EU-OSHA launches its Healthy Workplaces Campaign 26-28: Together for mental health at work

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EU-OSHA is launching today in Brussels its EU-wide Healthy Workplaces Campaign 2026-28: Together for mental health at work, to help employers and organisations prevent, assess and manage psychosocial risks at work.

Poor mental health is increasing in the EU: nearly half (45%) of workers report facing risks for their mental wellbeing at work, and 29% of workers experience stress, anxiety, or depression caused or made worse by work. Prolonged exposure to psychosocial risks is costly, with significant impact on workers’ health, including absenteeism and long-term sick leave. This not only harms workers, but also reduces productivity and increases costs for organisations, with wider consequences for society.

 

“Employers have a legal duty to protect workers’ health, including mental health. The latest evidence shows that barriers and reluctance to address psychosocial risks are common, with organisations lacking expertise or resources to tackle these issues. The campaign aims to help organisations manage psychosocial risks across all sectors by providing data, evidence-based solutions and practical tools. These resources will support preventative action, improve work organisation, and foster dialogue between employers and workers to create supportive and inclusive workplaces.”

William Cockburn, EU-OSHA’s Executive Director

 

The campaign identifies five priority areas to help address sector-specific challenges and better protect vulnerable groups of workers:

  • psychosocial risk assessment and management;
  • harassment, sexual harassment and violence;
  • physical risks and mental health;
  • psychosocial risks in the health and social care sector; and
  • supporting mental health at work.

Roxana Mînzatu, European Commission Executive Vice President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness, said: “Good jobs protect mental health as well as physical safety. No one should have to sacrifice their wellbeing to earn a living. Mental health is a priority in the EU’s approach to safety and health at work and central to our commitment to quality jobs. Together with EU-OSHA, we will promote practical measures to prevent harm and create healthier workplaces, helping people thrive and organisations succeed.”

To maximise the campaign’s impact, EU-OSHA will collaborate closely with its partners from across the EU/EEA and beyond – including National Focal Points, Official Campaign Partners, and networks – such as EEN OSH ambassadors and OSH VET representatives. Together, we will strive to foster a culture of psychosocial risks prevention amongst employers, managers, workers and their representatives. Key milestones of the campaign include the European Week for Safety and Health at Work and the Good Practice Awards, to shine a light on successful initiatives that improve workplace safety and health across Europe.

Notes to editor:

The Healthy Workplaces Campaign, delivered by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA), is Europe’s biggest initiative for promoting safety and health at work.

With these campaigns, EU-OSHA connects with workplaces of all sizes and sectors by collaborating with a diverse network of National Focal Points, Official Campaign Partners, media partners, EEN and OSHVET ambassadors, European social partners, EU institutions (especially the Council Presidencies), and other EU agencies.

Every three years, EU-OSHA focuses its campaign on some of the most pressing issues affecting workplaces; the Healthy Workplaces Campaign 2026 – 28: Together for mental health at work embodies this pledge.

For latest news and updates on the campaign: