More people receiving specialised psychiatric care in Finland are now employed

A growing number of Finns with severe mental health conditions requiring specialised treatment are participating in the workforce, according to a new study by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FIOH).

The trend has strengthened in the 2020s, the institute reports. In 2023, individuals receiving specialised psychiatric care for the first time worked slightly over half of all possible workdays, compared to 80 percent among the general population.

FIOH analysed registry data on employment rates between 2010 and 2023 for people entering specialised mental health treatment for the first time. The findings suggest a positive shift in workplace inclusion for those managing mental health challenges.