What is the First-Aid Kit?

Our online First-Aid Kit is tailored for workplace leaders in small businesses, including employers, managers, supervisors, human resources professionals, and work environment representatives, seeking to promote mental health proactively. This toolkit curates practical, easy-to-implement solutions to help you address common organisational, social and structural risk factors at workplaces, which negatively impact employees’ well-being. At the same time, it provides resources that can help you protect your own mental health at work. By making mental health a priority, you’re not just protecting you and your team—you’re investing in the long-term success of your business. Explore our resources and start building a healthier, more resilient workplace today.

Why Mental Health Matters for Your Business

Mental health is just as important as physical health in the workplace. When employees feel supported and mentally healthy, they are more engaged, motivated, and productive. Conversely, untreated mental health issues can lead to increased absenteeism, presenteeism, lower productivity, and higher turnover rates—challenges that can have a significant impact on small businesses and organisations, where each team member plays a crucial role. Investing in mental health is not just about caring for your employees; it’s a smart business decision that leads to a more resilient, efficient, and successful organisation.

Common Psychosocial Risks in Small Businesses

Psychosocial risks in the workplace—such as high stress, poor communication, and unclear roles—can significantly impact the mental well-being of your employees. These risks can contribute to feelings of anxiety, burnout, and job dissatisfaction, all of which can hinder performance and overall well-being. By recognizing and addressing these risks, you can create a healthier work environment that supports both the mental and emotional well-being of your team. In small businesses and organisations, where resources can be limited and work demands are often high, certain psychosocial risks are particularly common. These include, for example:

• Workplace Stress: High workloads, fast work pace, and low job control can lead to chronic stress, which, if unaddressed, can result in burnout.
• Poor Work-Life Balance: In smaller teams, employees may feel the need to overextend themselves, blurring the lines between work and personal life and contributing to stress and exhaustion.
• Lack of Mental Health Support: Without the robust HR resources often found in larger organisations, employees in small businesses and organisations may struggle to access the support they need, leading to feelings of isolation or helplessness.
• Unclear Roles and Expectations: In dynamic small teams, roles may be fluid and expectations unclear, creating uncertainty and anxiety among staff.
• Interpersonal struggles: Close-knit teams can sometimes experience interpersonal conflicts, which, if not managed well, can lead to stress, reduced collaboration, and a toxic work environment.
• Communication challenges: Effective communication is crucial in managing stress and preventing misunderstandings. In small businesses and organisations, where employees may wear many hats, communication can sometimes fall through the cracks, leading to unresolved conflicts, tension or a lack of direction.

Our team

This toolkit has been developed by leading experts in occupational safety and health from Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Norway, who are passionate about improving workplace well-being. Each resource featured in this toolkit is grounded in evidence-based practices and validated by our team of experts to ensure you have reliable and effective tools at your disposal. With our collective expertise, we are committed to helping you create a safer, healthier, and more supportive work environment for your team.