8.L. Scientific session: Work and mental health among young adults: views and evidence from five European countries

Abstract Young workers represent a critical segment of the labour market. Their well-being directly affects career development and broader labour market dynamics. However, increasing rates of poor mental health among young people in high-income countries hinder their transition into work, potentially threatening both early career paths and long-term labour market sustainability. Ensuring the mental well-being of young workers is vital both for their personal health and for supporting long-term workforce sustainability. Emerging research highlights significant challenges faced by young workers, including adverse work environments and poor mental health, which may exacerbate health, influence job retention, and hinder career progression. This workshop brings together three interconnected presentations from Denmark, the Netherlands, and Finland, examining the relationship between young workers’ mental health, working conditions, and labour market affiliation. Topics include: • How psychosocial work factors influence labour market exclusion among young adults with psychiatric diagnoses. • The relationship between psychosocial work factors and young workers’ mental health. • The combined role of pain and mental health in sickness absence among younger employees. The workshop includes three 10-minute presentations by early-career researchers: • Dr. Jeppe Karl Sørensen (Denmark) studies psychosocial work factors and labour market participation. • Malte van Veen (the Netherlands) studies mental health and the psychosocial work environment with a focus on young workers. • Dr. Pi Fagerlund (Finland) studies pain and mental health as risk factors for sickness absence among younger Finnish employees. Two experts in public mental health and public health economics Prof. Jutta Lindert (EUPHA section Public Mental Health; University of Applied Sciences Emden/Leer, Germany) and Dr. João Vasco Santos (EUPHA section Public Health Economics; University of Porto, Portugal) will reflect on the presentations, followed by a moderated discussion, encouraging interactive dialogue with the audience. This workshop aims to highlight current research on young workers’ mental health and its implications for labour market participation. We invite critical engagement with our findings and hope to inspire researchers to treat early working life as a sensitive period with significant public health relevance. The workshop contributes to advancing understanding of young workers’ mental health as a critical public health concern. This workshop aims to highlight current research on the mental health and labour market participation of young workers. We welcome a critical discussion of our findings and want to inspire others to consider the early phase of working life as a sensitive period with significant public health relevance. The workshop will contribute to advancing understanding of young workers’ mental health as a critical public health concern. Key messages • Adverse work environments and poor mental health among young workers hinder career development and labour market participation. • Early interventions targeting workplace health and psychosocial factors may improve outcomes for young workers and employers.