More than 800 international experts gather in Helsinki to discuss mental health at work

The European Academy of Occupational Health Psychology Conference 2026 (EAOHP 2026) will be organized in Helsinki on 15-17 June. More than 800 researchers, experts in psychology and occupational health and other people working with work life development from 42 countries will participate in the conference. This year's theme is Mental health at work – From research to policy and practice.

The theme of the conference highlights the importance of research data in decision-making and daily life at workplaces. Research-based practices and practical methods can play an important part in promoting the smooth flow of work, interaction and early support as well as prevent psychosocial risks.

"I encourage all researchers to take at least one ambitious step forward in impactfulness. When the world is uncertain and things change quickly, there is also more demand — and perhaps even more space — for new proposals," says Salla Toppinen-Tanner, Director of the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health.

Job resources are part of mental health work

One of the keynote speakers at the conference is Research Professor Jari Hakanen from the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health. He emphasises that promoting mental health at work is not only about preventing problems, but also strengthening the job resources.

Ways in which job resources can be seen in daily life include employees being able to use their skills in a diverse way, learn new things, feel that work is meaningful and work in a team that has the opportunity to influence their work together. When these factors are in order, they will protect against stress and promote learning, initiative and the ability to cope with changes. 

That is why developing work resources is both mental health work and strengthening an organisation’s capacity for renewal.

"Mental health in work life is not promoted only by reducing the workload, but also by increasing the job resources, such as the experience of meaningfulness, inclusion and success. These factors create work engagement, which supports both the individual and the work community during times of change," says Hakanen.

International recognition for Ari Väänänen

In connection with the conference, Ari Väänänen, Research Professor at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, will be awarded the Eusebio Rial-González Innovation & Practice Award. 

The award justifications emphasise Väänänen’s significant impact in the field of occupational health psychology. His research on the phenomenon of mental health has expanded the psychological research of work life to include social and cultural transformations and their impacts in the area of mental occupational health. By challenging current knowledge and providing fresh perspectives, his research has produced new approaches to practical work life and political decision-making.

"It is great to receive recognition for long-term research that has looked at mental challenges in work life from a distinctive perspective. Our research demonstrates that work and occupational health are strongly linked to culture and shifts in work life. The impact of the research is largely due to the fact that the knowledge created does not remain only within the scientific community, but also helps workplaces, occupational health care and decision-makers understand changes and find better solutions to them," says Väänänen.

EAOHP 2026 Conference

• The conference will be organised in the main building of the University of Helsinki on 15-17 June 2026.
• The conference is organised by the European Academy of Occupational Health Psychology in collaboration with the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, the University of Helsinki, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and the City of Helsinki.
• Part of the conference programme can be followed online free of charge via streaming.
• Conference website: https://eaohp.org/eaohp_2026
• Conference programme: https://eaohp.org/eaohp_2026/programme

Further information

• Questions about the conference: Salla Toppinen-Tanner, Director, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, salla.toppinen-tanner@ttl.fi, +358 46 851 2517
• Questions regarding the keynote speech: Jari Hakanen, Research Professor, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, jari.hakanen@ttl.fi, +358 40 562 5433
• Questions about the award: Ari Väänänen, Research Professor, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, ari.vaananen@ttl.fi, +358 50 511 0530