Work itself is the best mental health act

Supported work activity for people on disability pension who are recovering from mental health challenges is part of functional rehabilitation, and it aims to reduce this mental footprint. The term “mental footprint”, launched by Mieli ry, describes the significance of the meaning of work and the conditions under which work is carried out for people. In the worst case, the footprint is heavy, and in a more ideal scenario, it is light.

Work is known to be good for a person’s mental health. Being able to pursue things that feel meaningful to oneself increases mental wellbeing. In supported work activity as part of functional rehabilitation, people on disability pension can participate in work activity if they wish. Group activities are also available in the form of various discussion clubs or other kinds of activities and excursions, but quite a few people still choose work activity as their primary means of rehabilitation and recovery. The sense of feeling useful and meaningful — alongside community — undoubtedly plays a significant role.

Work and going to work has always been considered important in our culture. As the old saying goes, “Work rewards its maker.” The saying is worn and often used, but its purpose of describing the satisfaction that work brings to the person doing it has not changed — because work itself is the best mental health act. That is why it is important that there is organised activity and communities for people on disability pension too, where they can participate in doing things according to their own resources, rather than staying home and risking becoming marginalised from society. This is how we reduce Finland’s mental footprint.

Minna Tikka-Lapveteläinen, instructor, Haaga Activity House