National Hearings of the Interreg Baltic Sea Region project “Mental Health Matters” in Riga

Description

On 16 May 2025, the national hearings of the Interreg Baltic Sea Region project “Mental Health Matters” in Latvia took place at the “Kleisti” Science Centre of Rīga Stradiņš University. During the event, the project team presented the main results and key conclusions.

The event brought together members of the National Community of Practice - subject-matter experts who had made significant contributions at various stages of the project by sharing their professional knowledge and perspectives on psychosocial risks in the work environment — ranging from stigma reduction to the need for changes in legislation.

The event opened with a reminder of the importance of mental health in the workplace. Stress, depression, and anxiety are the second most common work-related health issues in the European Union. Nearly 45% of employees annually report exposure to risk factors at work that threaten their psychological well-being. Psychosocial risks are particularly complex due to their individual nature — unlike physical risks such as noise or chemical exposure, psychosocial factors may affect each person differently, which makes their management more challenging.

During the event, participants were introduced to the project’s key focus areas as well as best practices from partner countries. Identified areas for improvement in highlighting and managing psychosocial risks in Latvia were also presented. In addition, the project team showcased the “First Aid Kit” — a tool developed to address various work-related psychosocial issues by providing structured informational materials, guidelines, and self-assessment tools.

In the concluding part of the event, participants engaged in interactive group activities, assuming different roles — employees, employers, and occupational safety specialists — to analyse practical scenarios and seek the most suitable solutions for strengthening mental well-being in the workplace.

Overall, the event sparked valuable discussions on the relevance of mental health in the Latvian work environment and the need to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and implement effective mechanisms for identifying and assessing psychosocial risks.

Period	16 May 2025
Event type	Meeting
Location	Riga, LatviaShow on map
Degree of Recognition	International