Mental health is unevenly distributed among the working population in Finland: A cross-sectional study of six indicators of mental health

Background: The study examined the distribution of mental health indicators (risky alcohol use, psychological distress, positive mental health, mental health-related sick leave, psychiatric medication, and rehabilitation psychotherapy) among employed individuals in different occupational classes and regions in Finland.

Methods: The study analyzed data from the Healthy Finland survey (n=9234) and the Mental vulnerability in Finland register-based data (n=650 933).

Results: The prevalence of mental health indicators varied among the employed. Risky alcohol use (men 32.7%, women 17.5%), psychological distress (men 14.6%, women 15.3%), low positive mental health (men 19.7%, women 17.4%), and psychiatric medication use (men 9.8%, women 17%) were common. Women had considerably more mental health-related sick leave (men 2.6%, women 6.7%) and use of rehabilitative psychotherapy (men 0.8%, women 2.8%). Among blue-collar female employees, the prevalence of psychological distress (20.6%) and low positive mental health (27.5%) was high. Regional differences were quite small. Differences between population groups were smaller for employed men than for women.

Conclusions: The results of the study provide an updated overview of the differentiation of mental health problems and solutions within the employed population.

Ari Väänänen, Kia Gluschkoff, Kristiina Lehmuskoski, Johanna Kausto, Sanna Selinheimo, Pauliina Mattila-Holappa, Pia Solin, Suvi Parikka, Jaana Suvisaari