The researchers of the TalTech Department of Business Administration are participating in the European Union project PSYR-IR, which aims to investigate how psychosocial risks — such as stress, burnout, and emotional strain — are actually being addressed in Estonia. In the first phase of the project, we analyzed previous studies and found that mental health risks often take a back seat in Estonia.

Among other findings, the report reveals that work intensity has noticeably increased in recent years — according to 2021 data, nearly one-third of Estonian employees experience high work speed and time pressure. It also became clear that employee involvement in assessing mental health risks remains low, both in Estonia and in many other European countries. Psychosocial risks are given particularly little attention in sectors where the focus is more on physical hazards — such as construction and manufacturing. In these sectors, stress, heavy workloads, and emotional strain are often overlooked.

If you want to learn more about the PSYR-IR project and its results, you can find additional information on the project’s website.

Your opinion matters!

To better understand how employees themselves perceive mental health risks, we are currently conducting a survey among workers in construction and industrial companies (for example, in the metal, wood, and machinery industries).

👉 If you work in one of these fields, please take a moment to complete our survey HERE. Your contribution helps make workplaces safer and more supportive.

A small recommendation for today

As an employer, ask your employees how they are really doing. As an employee, ask your colleague how they are really doing. Supporting mental health starts with listening, noticing, and caring.