On Tuesday 13 October, in Brussels, the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) launches its new Healthy Workplaces Campaign: Together for Mental Health at Work, 2026–2028.
It comes three days after World Mental Health Day. One day of attention becomes three years of work.
WHAT THE CAMPAIGN IS
The campaign runs for three years and already counts more than 100 official partners. Its aim, in EU-OSHA’s own words, is to “raise awareness about the impact of psychosocial risks, to demonstrate the importance of preventing and managing psychosocial risks and promote the creation of supportive, inclusive, and mentally healthy work environments across all sectors.”
“Psychosocial risks” sounds technical. EU-OSHA defines them as risks that “arise from poor work design, organisation and management, as well as from poor social context of work.” In plain terms: workload, clarity, support, and how well people work together.
THREE REASONS THIS IS GOOD NEWS
It starts with prevention. The focus is on how work is organised, before anyone needs support.
It treats body and mind as one. In the campaign’s words: “Physical health and mental health are connected. It is important to take on a broad and holistic approach to prevention.”
It is built on cooperation. Good mental health at work, the campaign says, “can be achieved if workers and employers work together, in consultation with each other.” Employers, workers, HR professionals and safety representatives are all invited to join.
WHAT THE NUMBERS SAY
A recent EU-wide survey of workers, Flash Eurobarometer OSH Pulse 2025 (25,688 interviews across the 27 EU countries), gives a clear picture.
- 58% of workers say they would feel comfortable talking about their mental health with their manager. The conversation has opened.
- 44% say they face severe time pressure or work overload.
- 29% point to poor communication or cooperation within their organisation.
The last two figures are about how work is organised and how people work together. That is exactly where the campaign puts its focus.
A second EU survey, ESENER 2024, covered more than 41,000 workplaces in 30 European countries. The risk factor they report most often is physical: prolonged sitting, named by 64% of workplaces.
WHERE ANY TEAM CAN START
The campaign will share tools and good practice over the next three years. Three starting points already follow from its principles.
Ask. Consultation sits at the heart of the campaign. Ask your team what makes their work harder, and act on what you hear.
Move. The World Health Organization notes that physical activity “reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety, enhances brain health, and can improve overall well-being.” With prolonged sitting the most reported risk factor, moving more is a natural first step.
Connect. When nearly a third of workers point to communication and cooperation, time together matters. Colleagues who know each other work together more easily. A shared moment away from the desk is one of the simplest ways to start.
WHY THIS MATTERS TO US
LACTIK is a team race for colleagues: walk or run, exercise, and cross the finish line together. We built it to bring co-workers together and to make sport part of company culture.
Europe’s campaign says the same thing in its own language. Health at work is physical and mental, and it is built together.
Treat your team like athletes.
SOURCES
EU-OSHA, Healthy Workplaces Campaign launch, 13 October 2026, Brussels
https://osha.europa.eu/en/oshevents/healthy-workplaces-campaign-launch-together-mental-health-work
EU-OSHA, Together for mental health at work 2026–2028
https://healthy-workplaces.osha.europa.eu/en
EU-OSHA, What is the campaign about?
https://healthy-workplaces.osha.europa.eu/en/about-topic/what-about
EU-OSHA, Who should be involved
https://healthy-workplaces.osha.europa.eu/en/about-topic/who-should-be-involved
EU-OSHA, Psychosocial risks and mental health
https://osha.europa.eu/en/themes/psychosocial-risks-and-mental-health
Flash Eurobarometer OSH Pulse 2025, mental health at work
https://osha.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/OSH-pulse-2025-mental-health_infographic_EN.pdf
EU-OSHA, ESENER 2024 survey results
https://osha.europa.eu/en/about-eu-osha/press-room/prolonged-sitting-psychosocial-risks-and-digitalisation-top-workplace-safety-and-health-concerns-new-eu-survey-reveals
World Health Organization, Physical activity fact sheet
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/physical-activity